Rama to confront councilor over use of Pagcor funds
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama blew his top yesterday when told about insinuations of Councilor Sisinio Andales that part of the city’s Pagcor funds were spent on projects which benefited the Rama compound where he lives.
In a press conference, Rama said he will confront Andales on this and would consider filing a libel case against him.
“When it’s my name that’s being tarnished, I’ll die for it,” the mayor said.
He questioned why Andales, who used to be his neighbor in barangay Basak San Nicolas, was attacking him.
The councilor mentioned that the executive department was spending the city’s Pagcor fund “left and right” when he spoke in last week’s council session.
Andales said he heard reports that some expenses charged to the city’s P3 million monthly aid from Pagcor were spent at the Rama compound. Rama said never has a member of his family used government resources for personal gain.
“We don’t rely on government money,” said a visibly irate Rama.
“He doesn’t know what the Ramas are,” he said.
Last week, the council took up two resolutions by Councilor Jose Daluz III charging the purchase of a vehicle worth P1.2 million and another P0.5 million for the acquisition of fiber glass basketball back boards to the city’s Pagcor share.
Cebu City receives P3 million a month from Pagcor for hosting state-run gambling casinos in the city.
The council questioned the P8.3 million charged to the Pagcor share that was used to buy snacks for participants of the city’s sports fest, festivals and job fairs.
Councilor Alvin Dizon said offices that spent the money should submit a liquidation of expenses.
Diwa Cuevas, the acting city accountant, said the city government charged the amount of P65.3 million to its share of Pagcor funds from Jan. 5, 2011 to June 11, 2012.
An unspent balance of P17.9 million remains.
The bulk of the P65.3 million charge amounting to P43.9 million went into buying motor vehicles, while P8.3 million was spent on snacks.
Another P6.5 million was spent on equipment like monobloc chairs and tables, projectors and laptop computers.
Vice Mayor Joy Augstus Young said the city has an annual appropriation for vehicle purchases. The council said the Pagcor share should go to sustainable activities like infrastructure projects, services and public safety.
