Work first before politics, Rama asks barangay execs

Despite breaking away from them, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called on officials affiliated with the administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) to support his programs.

Their political differences, he said, can wait until the 2013 election.

“Whatever is going to happen, thy will be done. Nobody of us knows what will transpire (in the election),” Rama said.

Rama met Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district and the City Council during the second general assembly of the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines Cebu City chapter.

The assembly was held late last Saturday afternoon at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

Rama was seated on the table with league officials when Osmeña and the council walked into the Atlantic Hall of the Waterfront Hotel.

The congressman and the councilors were seated on the table next to where Rama sat.

In his message, the mayor discussed several activities for next year like the annual Sinulog celebration and the 75th Charter Day event on Feb. 24.

Rama said he was well aware that political alignments will already start early next year such as Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa’s announcement to run for Cebu City’s south district.

Despite their differences, Rama said he looked up to Osmeña whom he referred to as his “mentor” that motivated him to run for mayor in last year’s elections.

“We love Cebu City and I can assure everybody, Tom, Margot and the council that we love Cebu City very much and we cannot allow the city to sink,” he said.

Rama said politics should not be allowed to get in the way of their friendship including the budget tug-of-war with the council. “The budget will be in place and I don’t know what will be its fate but I hope that the council will be looking at what is good for the city,” he said.

For his part, Osmeña said the barangay councilors can undertake projects on their own without relying on their barangay captains.

“This is the best leadership training, for the future, that’s governance management,” he said. Correspondents Edison delos Angeles and Fe Marie Dumaboc