WHAT the 2012 budget boils down to is Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s political maneuvering for the 2013 elections, said his main critic.
“This impossible budget is Mike Rama’s shenanigan, a shameless political ploy to get the barangay captains and barangay councilors to have a transfer of affection for the 2013 elections,” said Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.
In a statement sent to Cebu Daily News, Osmeña, a former city mayor, said while the preventive suspension he filed against Rama is “extreme,” he believes it is necessary.
“It is necessary because while Mike Rama acts as mayor of this city, we cannot expect the executive department to work with the City Council to pass a reasonable, realistic 2012 budget,” Osmeña said.
He said if Rama is willing to cooperate with the council in approving a balanced budget for next year, then the complaint he filed at the Ombudsman can be dispensed with.
From an original P11.8-billion budget, Rama has trimmed it to P10.8 billion.
A large part goes to drainage systems, rehabilitation of public markets and purchase of brand-new vehicles for the barangays and police.
The City Council doubts Rama can raise enough revenue to support the budget, saying the P10.8-billion target is “impossible” to achieve based on actual revenue generated this year.
Osmeña said Rama wants to promise the “sun, moon and stars” to barangay officials and then blame Osmeña and the council for being obstructionist.
“Then he will tell them, ‘Look, I wanted to do this and that for you. But the council won’t let me. Congressman Osmeña is standing in my way. Blame them if you don’t get what I promised you,’” he said.
Among the revenue sources being considered is a P2-billion credit line that the council has opposed.
Rama earlier said he will answer all accusations at the right time in the proper forum.
Congressman Osmeña said the city should spend within its means.
“We know we cannot spend what we do not earn. Or at least we should not. I think a reasonable person knows this,” he said.
Osmeña accused Rama of bullying the council and the department heads to get passage for his proposed budget.
Osmeña said he considered running against Rama in 2013 if need be to unseat him.
He also floated his wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, as a potential contender.
Margo said she “cannot close her mind” to that possibility. “I did it one time… Again, I will not make any excuses,” Osmeña said.
Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said despite the councilor’s lack of experience, she has been performing “surprisingly well” for a first-time elected official. With STC Intern Katreena Bisnar