City mayor snubs Del Mar in meeting

Another verbal tussle erupted between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and congressional candidate Raul del Mar in yesterday’s special meeting of the City Development Council but not much was accomplished.

They didn’t argue over flyovers.

The mayor questioned Del Mar’s presence, saying he was not a CDC member.

The mayor said he recognized del Mar’s presence in previous CDC meetings as as an “accommodation” and out of respect for the former congressman “but we have to be strict now and not allow non-members to speak.”

The two men later spoke privately. After the huddle, Rama left the Sinulog Hall of the Rizal Library and Museum, then returned, and adjourned the meeting citing lack of quorum.

The only agenda item was the Annual Investment Project – Local Development Fund.

A regular CDC meeting is scheduled for next month.

The two men have been at odds since last year over del Mar’s strong lobby for adding two new flyovers in Gorordo Avenue and M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

After the Department of Public Works and Highways declared a moratorium on flyovers in October last year, the issue was brought to Malacanang which ordered futher study.

Del Mar and Rama clashed again in the last CDC meeting in September where the former congressman wanted the council to reconsider its decision deleting two other flyovers near the Mabolo church and the Ayala access road in F. Cabahug Street from its priority list.

Del Mar said he represents his daughter north district Rep. Rachel del Mar in CDC meetings. She is not seeking reelection next year.

Yesterday, Del Mar raised his hand and asked if the gathering was indeed a special meeting of the CDC because they were not given copies of the minutes of the CDC’s third quarter meeting held in September.

He said he did not want “surprises” during the meeting.

Instead of answering, the mayor questioned del Mar’s authority to be there at all.

In an interview after the meeting, Del Mar said he did not like mayor’s attempt to deprive him of the opportunity to speak in the CDC meeting.

Del Mar said he wasn’t even planning to talk about flyovers.

Del Mar said he would have asked the CDC to discuss the mayor’s new policy to prohibit representatives of council members from speaking.

Since it wasn’t resolved, Del Mar he will bring it up again in the next meeting.