Rama unfazed over council no-show

In marking the 150th anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called on the City Council to set aside politicking and focus on serving the city residents.

The mayor issued the appeal even as he dismissed the appointment of Councilor Margot Osmeña as the council finance committee chairperson.

“I will not be threatened. After 19 years (in politics), why should I be threatened?,” he said.

Rama, who spearheaded the celebration at the Plaza Sugbu at 7 a.m yesterday, told reporters that he is unafraid if the council decides to slice the budget since it is still the executive department who prepares the request.

“I would never fear for it is not the budget of Mike Rama for his pocket it is the budget for the people,” the mayor said.

Rama said he wasn’t surprised that only one out of the 18 city councilors showed up to attend the event.

“It’s not something abnormal. I’ve been attending historical events where some people whose family are being, shall we say, remembered don’t even attend. How much more when they are not a relative of Rizal?,” Rama said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young confirmed that they accepted the invitations given to them but they chose not to attend.

“I won’t comment on that,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Only Councilor Leah Japson, who denied rumors that she is Rama’s running mate in the 2013 elections, attended the event.

Rama left the administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) after a dispute with its founder, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district over the clearing operations in Mahiga Creek.

Rama insisted that no aid be given to the settlers, a position challenged by the BO-PK dominated council.

Young announced the appointment of Councilor Osmeña, wife of Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district in a recent meeting with barangay captains.

The mayor said he would continue to monitor developments on the Banilad- Talamban area, including the controversial Ciudad project by Cebu province, regardless of the council’s opposition to it.

The council met with the congressman to discuss the project and other issues at his home in barangay Guadalupe last week. Correspondent Fatrick Tabada