Rama’s filing of graft case ‘showbiz’–Tom O

THE filing of graft charges by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was an “act of desperation” to win next year’s elections, said Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Osmeña said Rama’s “hakot” crowd and his march from the Capitol Parish church to the Visayas-Ombudsman’s Office on M. Velez Street was all “showbiz.”

He said he would respond once he receives a copy of the complaint against him.

“He (Rama) was making a fool of himself. Do you think he will get points for doing that?” Osmeña said.

The mayor, his sister Minnie and nephew Paulo Osmena were named in a complaint filed by the mayor for accepting two US-made Chrysler sedans from an investor, Michael Gleissner, instead of turning them over to the city government.

The three were accused of violating laws on corrupt practices and illegal use of insignia on the cars.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, an Osmeña ally, said if the complaint was filed by Rama with the City of Cebu as the complainant “we’d argue that he needs a council resolution.”

Rama said he filed the Ombudsman’s complaint “on behalf of the people of Cebu City” and as “part of my mandate as mayor.”

Rama said he knew he the council would authorize him: “Would they give that to me since Osmeña is their master?”

Rama also denied mobilizing a crowd for the march to the Visayas-Ombudsman office, saying they were supporters.