Boracay getaway : No government fund was spent - Rama

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has assured the public that no government funds were spent in his hosting of some city officials, barangay captains, and satellite officers in Boracay over the weekend.

Despite calls for transparency, however, Rama refused to neither reveal his funding source nor name any of the sponsors.

“Wala…wala…wala. Ayaw na lang mo pangutana kay paninglan nya ta mo kun moingon ko’g nangutang ko…kabayad mo’s akong utang?” said Rama, who was obviously annoyed of the question.

Rama appealed for trust from the media claiming that everything he has been doing is not for his own self-interest, but all for the people of Cebu City. He said the gathering of barangay officials and leaders was one of its kind and devoid of political colors.

But Rama said it was not the first time that he was able to look for ways to fund something for a good cause. The mayor did not anymore elaborate.

“Ako na’ng responsibility…It’s not the first time…I know where I stand, I know what to do...I’ve been in government since 1992…I’ve been in the private sector since 1984. In October, I’ll be 70 minus 1…I’ve long been in this world, I know what to do…I don’t have to tell you… When you talk about sponsors, it’s not of your concern…It is my responsibility, how I put all of these things together…Kung moingon ko ninyo’g nangutang ko for a decent purpose…inyo kong tabanga’g bayad?” said Rama.

He described the outcome as “amazing and unprecedented.”

“You think all these people will be there if wala pay Ginoo nihikap? Lain-lain og utok ang tawo,” Rama added.

About 200 barangay officials, satellite officers, and former barangay captains honored Rama’s invitation for a weekend getaway in Boracay. All incumbent barangay captains were invited but some were not able to attend.

Several captains allied with the opposition Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), however, were noticeably around. Among them was Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president and ex-officio member of the City Council Franklyn Ong.

Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia was thankful to Rama and the members of the organizing committee, including the city’s first lady Malou Rama, for the rare opportunity to connect with the barangay leaders.

“We were blessed with the opportunity by Mayor Mike and Malou and of course, ang organizing committee nga gidala mi tanan didto sa Boracay for a bonding activity with all the barangay captains, regardless of color unya giapil sad og invite ang mga satellite officers, satellite head sa maong panagtigom,” said Garcia.

“It was a very momentous, joyous occasion kay nag-abot gyud ang tanan…It was also very distinct. It was also very rare opportunity nga ang mga kaatbang...kay matud pa ni Mayor Mike di man na kontra…ang mga magkaatbang sa politika sa tagsa-tagsa ka barangay nag-abot gyud didto sa Boracay,” added Garcia.

The vice mayor said there was no talk of politics during the occasion.

“There was no talk of politics…It was just about looking after the best interest of the city of Cebu. Mao ra gyud to ang tumong ug tinguha nga everybody pledged their loyalty, everybody pledge their commitment, their dedication, and passion for the city of Cebu,” Garcia emphasized.

Part of the activity, however, was for incumbent barangay captains present and their former political opponents as well as their would-be challengers in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to show “sportsmanship” and unity for the city.

The mayor called them for a friendly face-to-face and shaking of hands.

“They may not agree in their politics sa ilang mga political beliefs, they may not agree in the respective barangay but this is what they all agreed and they had one intention–the intention of looking after the best interest of the city of Cebu…They may not be united in their respective barangay when it comes to politics…but they are united in the vision and intention for the development and attainment of a Singapore-like Cebu City,” Garcia said.

According to Garcia, the gathering serves as an eye-opener for all of them.

“Wala pa gyud ni sukad-sukad nabuhat sauna and thankful kaayo ang mga participants sa mao nga activity because it was really an eye-opener for all of us…Nga bisa’g lain-lain atong gituohan...not only politically, bisan lain atong tuohan religion ba ron ug unsa pa na diha…mag-abot ra gyud diay ta sa usa ka vision, usa ka mission, sa usa ka goal, and that mission and that goal is to move Cebu City to be more progressive, to be more develop to attain a Singapore-like Cebu City,” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)