Rama gets meeting with Duterte

CEBU, Philippines — After several attempts, former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama finally met President Rodrigo Duterte as attempts to have his name removed from the president’s list of alleged narco-politicians.

Rama said he had a “distinct, divine, and designed” meeting with Duterte last Friday in Davao City at the district convention of the Rotary Club.

“He (Duterte) was cordial. We are friends. It’s a good development. I don’t want to give details. But I conveyed my message to him (Duterte) loud and clear,” Rama told The FREEMAN.

To recall, Duterte publicly named Rama, in 2016 and 2017, as allegedly one of the protectors of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade in the country.

Rama has since denied the allegations, saying he has been in public service for over 24 years and has never been involved in illegal drugs.

Since he was named in 2016, Rama tried to meet and speak with the president to clear his name but his attempts failed. 

Rama said that while in Davao City last week, he was looking for restaurant to eat at and he reportedly saw Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, the special assistant to the president. He took the opportunity to ask Go for a short meeting with Duterte.

“In gist, I describe it as a journey of wanting to have a tit for tat with the president. I don’t have to add anymore. But I want to affirm that I had met the president. I don’t want to give the details of the meeting,” he said.

He said he felt like a heavy load was taken off his shoulders after his talk with Duterte.

“I was very appreciative nga unintended, no appointment but we ended up seeing each other, side by side with each other. Sharing with each other,” he said.

Despite his name in Duterte’s list, no case has been filed against Rama. —/JMO (FREEMAN)