Mel Feliciano, Mayor Mike Rama still ‘friends’

CEBU, Philippines — Melquiades Feliciano and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama remain in good terms even after the retired army general stepped down as chief implementer of the Task Force Gubat sa Baha.

In fact, Feliciano and his wife Mia attended the Christmas party the mayor hosted at the Rama Compound.

“Nakapag-usap kami, pero hindi pa namin na-tackle (yong sa Task Force Gubat sa Baha).Busy kasi, Christmas party, hindi masyadong nakapag-usap.. Yung napag-usapan naming is yung sa MCWD (Metropolitan Cebu Water District),” Feliciano said.

Feliciano stepped down from the Task Force, citing lack of cooperation from its members. He also mentioned getting discouraged after a remark from the mayor that he, however, think may have been just a joke.

Feliciano said that after he left the Task Force group chat, Rama called him right away, only that he was not able to answer the call.

He said that as a sign of friendship, he instead showed up at the Christmas party, where he spoke with the mayor, but not at length, over matters at the MCWD.

Feliciano, however, declined to divulge details about his discussion with the mayor.

Feliciano had made it clear that while he left the Task Force, he remains as MCWD board of directors chairman, after the mayor appointed him last Oct. 31.

In an interview the other day, he said he stepped down from his position as chief implementer of Cebu City Hall’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha primarily due to “lack of cooperation” from its members.

He also admitted that among the factors that prompted his decision was Rama's “do your part if you want to keep the job” remark to him.

He said, though, that there could be a possibility that the mayor said these words as a joke".

Feliciano said that after making the threat, the mayor called and reached out to him.

He admitted that the statement affected him because he is not a City Hall employee but someone who volunteered to help the city.

He also set it straight that it was the mayor who asked for his help for the Task Force Gubat sa Baha and in the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, he said that all is well.

“Okay na man..wala naman ano…. Sa trabaho lang naman yun. Pero peace na kami…Merry Christmas pa rin,” he said.  Felicano said. — (FREEMAN)