Rama asserts Jaguar ‘link’ invented

CEBU, Philippines - Former Mayor Michael Rama faced the media anew Sunday to reiterate allegations thrown at him by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

"I'm addressing you all today because I want to make this clear. I am not a drug lord protector. I do not know who Jaguar is. I never received drug money in my 20 years of public service that's why I'm a little bit appalled because accusation in that level is highly reprehensible, absurd, incredulous and even highly preposterous," Rama told reporters yesterday.

In another press conference much earlier, Rama already denied receiving drug payola from late notorious drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz.

Yesterday, he argued anew that Osmeña's allegation has no proof.

 "He (Osmeña) kept on accusing me. This man has no other goal, but to get revenge even at the expense of the people. His attempt to discredit the accomplishment of our administration will not prosper. All he's been doing is coming up with allegation after allegation without proof. As I've said, if you can't put up, shut up. If you can't shut up, sue me. This is not to mention, is curious why he's only making these Jaguar accusations now that Jaguar is dead," he said.

Rama said he is wondering why Osmeña keeps on linking him to Diaz when, in fact, it was Osmeña who won in Barangay Duljo-Fatima where Diaz lived.

"He was the one who said that Jaguar contacted him. I've never been in contact with Jaguar or anyone affiliated with him. We all know that jaguar was well-loved in Duljo because of his Robin Hood style of generosity. The question now is, if I protected him, how come I never won in Duljo? Check the result. It's there. Everyone in Duljo knows who jaguar supported and it was Tomas Osmeña. Not Mike Rama. I did not have any control of any police chief nor any of mayor-recommended police chief, chosen or maintained," Rama said further.

Rama said he is willing to undergo a lie detector test, a challenge Osmeña posed to him.

Rama said he is now awaiting advice from his legal team on the libel case he intends to file against Osmeña.

Osmeña earlier challenged Rama to go to court, citing supposed circumstances that would link Rama to the drug trade. 

These allegedly include the time Rama administered the oath of office of the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa under the United Nation Alliance camp.

Other than that, during the series investigations on Kerwin Espinosa, he admitted that he distributed drugs in five barangays in Cebu City, including Pasil, Duljo-Fatima, Ermita, Suba, and Lorega whose leadership are allied with Team Rama.

On top of this was the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that Rama is among the mayors in the country allegedly involved in narcopolitics. (FREEMAN)