Rama hit on programs, school ‘snub’ in awards

This early in the year,  Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district is picking on his successor Mayor Michael Rama in the runup to the 2013 polls.

Speaking to barangay captains, he saidhe was ready to offer a “clearer program” to Cebu city residents, one that would make Cebu City  globally competitive and vie with Manila, HongKong and Singapore. (See related story on page 2)

He called Rama’s programs “too shallow.”

Their  cold war was evident at the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) assembly at the penthouse of the Robinland residences at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.

Osmeña who arrived before noon was addressing   barangay captains when Rama arrived.

Mayor Rama turned his back and closed the penthouse door when he heard Osmeña’s voice.  The mayor waited outside at the lobby until he was  called to speak.

When it was Rama’s turn to address the barangay captains, Rep. Osmeña was busy with his cell phone.

He  glanced once at Rama’s direction during the mayor’s 20-minute message  then left before the speech was over.

The former mayor also chided Rama for failing to include the Asian College of Technology (ACT) in the list of Charter Day awardees despite being endorsed by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

Rama earlier said it was improper to award a school  owned by a councilor,  Rodrigo Abellanosa.

However, Osmeña said  “ACT made it possible for  students of Cebu City to get a college education for only P10,000 per semester.” ACT is one of the schools participating in the city government’s scholarship program,  which awards students  P10,000 a semester as tuition aid in a school of their choice.

Rep. Rachel del Mar of Cebu City’s north district and her father, Raul, also ignored Rama when they shook hands with  barangay officials over lunch.

The Del Mars are  proponents of  flyover projects that Rama along with civil society and religious groups opposed.

The mayor said he didn’t want politics to get in the way of public service. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac