Rama confident of Liberal Party’s support

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama is confident that the Liberal Party will support him and his party in the coming elections.

He said there is no reason to drop him as he has been a loyal party member who has been religiously paying monthly dues and attending meetings.

“I am a full-pledged LP member.  There is no reason for me to be kicked out,” said Rama.

The equity of the incumbent policy should be used as basis in the selection of LP candidates in Cebu City.

Declaring Cebu City as a free zone to give him and Osmeña equal opportunities should not even be considered by LP.

Rama said he brought to the attention of Budget and Management Secretary Butch Abad the failure of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to invite him to a Liberal Party (LP) gathering last Tuesday, which former mayor and south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña attended.

Osmeña, who confirmed his run for mayor against Rama in next year’s election, is LP’s Cebu City head.

Rama questioned if the meeting, which Robredo called, does not contradict with his function as DILG secretary.

“What is Jess Robredo doing in Cebu?  He should be overseeing DILG.  Naay political affairs in charge ang mga political parties who take care of political gatherings,” he said.

Rama said he also told Abad about misinformation against him.

“The President and Mar (Roxas), they should know.  If some people are communicating wrong information (against me), that should be corrected,” said Rama.

Rama denied rumors that he is courting the support of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The mayor witnessed the signing of an agreement between Binay and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for the resolution of the 93-1 lot dispute.

He said he and Councilors Edgardo Labella and Jose Daluz agreed to witness the MOA signing to express respect for Binay as the second highest official of the country. It was also his expression of support that finally the 93-1 issue, which concerns his constituents, is seeing resolution.

Rama, however, did not deny nor confirm that negotiations are ongoing with former councilor and engineer Nestor Archival and Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal III for them to join Team Rama. Either of the two is reportedly considered as Rama’s north district candidate.

Meanwhile, Rama also raised to Abad the replacement of acting city treasurer Ofelia Oliva without consulting him being the mayor.  “He (Abad) has promised me that he will bring the matter to the attention of President Benigno Aquino III,” said Rama.

Rama cried foul over the replacement of Oliva by an order from Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. During the term of Mayor Osmeña, Oliva was removed as treasurer.

She returned to City Hall when Rama became mayor but her stint was cut short after her appointment was questioned by Osmeña.

Camarillo replaced her until last January when Oliva again returned as acting city treasurer.

But barely two months after she was reinstalled, Oliva was again replaced by Purisima. /Chief Of Reporters Doris Bongcac