Lawyer: Don Vicente was a man of integrity

CEBU, Philippines — Don Vicente Rama, the father of the Cebu City Charter, was passionate in serving the public and deserves respect for his contributions to the general welfare of the city.

Lawyer Paulino Yabao, University of Southern Philippines-Foundation President, said that even though he did not know personally the late senator, he has heard exemplary deeds of the former government official.

He said that during the time when Don Vicente was still an elected official, the late senator did not allow his wife to ride the government-owned vehicle.

“What an integrity and passionate love for public service. We seldom see this in today’s government and public officials,” Yabao said.

Yabao, who was the speaker of the 16th Don Vicente Rama memorial lecture, said the purpose of the talk was to paint a clearer picture of who Don Vicente was.

Don Vicente was a member of the House of Representatives when he authored the bill converting the Municipality of Cebu to Cebu City.

Today, Cebu City celebrates its 81st Charter Day anniversary.

The family and friends of Don Vicente Rama, the father of the Cebu City charter, will hold a flower offering at the official’s brass monument in Plaza Sugbo.

The Rama family organizes the event in order to honor the exemplary deeds of the late senator, who has done something memorable for Cebuanos.

Former city mayor Michael Rama told The FREEMAN that aside from the Rama family, supporters and his ally in politics are expected to be present in the activity.

After the flower offering, the group will proceed to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for a Mass.

Paul Edward Rama, the fourth generation of the Rama clan, thanked Yabao for his speech and the students for remembering Don Vicente.

On the other hand, Michael said it is important that there is a continuous lecture about his grandfather so that the students would know about it.

“If you don’t go back to the beginning, there’s nothing to cherish and look forward on what ought to be,” he said.

Meanwhile, the city government has also organized a Mass today.

A program facilitated by Cebu City Cultural and Historical Commission (CHAC) to award City Hall employees for their exemplary attitude towards serving the public will follow suit.

At 5 p.m., a testimonial dinner will be held at the Waterfront Hotel for the awarding of Outstanding Individuals, Institutions, Posthumous Award and the Mayor’s Special Award.

City officials, department heads, city hall employees and the awardees are expected to join this event. (FREEMAN)