Don Vicente Rama’s farewell report as Cebu City mayor

Don Vicente Rama served as the mayor of Cebu City for one year and eight months. He sent his letter of resignation to President Manuel Quezon on July 2, 1940 which was replied on July 11, 1940. He was able to relinquish the office on August 2, 1940 as he had to wait for the appointment of lawyer and newspapermen Jose Delgado as his successor.

Don Vicente Rama made a final report and farewell note for the city, this was what he said:

“As I lay aside my duties of mayor, I send my heartfelt thanks to my fellow workers in the city government as well as to all the townspeople.

“I also hereby express my own never-ending happiness, born of a firm conviction that in the fulfillment of my task I have spared no effort to satisfy the expectations placed upon my person by his Excellency, the President of the Philippines.

“When I assumed office in 1938, the actual cash savings of the city being held by the treasurer amounted to no more than P238,646.16. Whereas, by the end of June 1940 the total cash of the city in the treasury was P484,982.94- or a difference of P191,336.78.

“Before a government can win the trust of the people under its care, it has first to reflect the sentiments and aspirations of the people. And this can only be attained if the Fourth Estate, or the conglomerate that goes under the name of the Press, enjoys sufficient freedom and power to publicize and interpret the actions of that same government.

“For this reason during my administration I have encouraged and accustomed myself to meet and dialogue with the reporters of the different newssheets. I believed that the Press ought to enjoy both freedom and ease in delivering to every household its reports concerning the activities and developments undertaken by the government. In this way the people are enabled to pass judgments and form opinions regarding topics of any importance.

“It is possible that I have been too ruthless, too merciless and unkind in publishing, without resorting to run-arounds and cover-ups, all the happenings and deeds of the city government. But on the other hand I could never deny that the people who pay for my salary and the salary of my fellow workers in government have every right to be kept up-to-date concerning the things being done that are for their benefit or to their sad loss.”