Police chief tops Mike’s chopping list

New faces are expected to lead some offices and departments at the Cebu City Hall when the election ban on personnel transfers is lifted.

Re-elected Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said he wanted to replace Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el as Cebu City police director.

Rama said he preferred to replace Natu-el with Senior Supt. Noli Romana, a decision that largely depends on Camp Crame but if he could no longer get Romana, then he would settle for someone else.

“I will definitely be asking for Natu-el’s replacement and I will go back to the people whom I’ve asked to occupy CCPO,” he said.

On his plan to move some department heads, Rama said he would implement this after he delivers his inaugural address following the end of his term on June 30.

Rama said, those who would be replaced have an idea about the change by now because “they had taken the risk.”

“No matter what. They ought to know the consequences of what they are doing,” he said.

Rama was earlier critcized for making loyalty checks among his department heads and asking them to support his re-election bid. Some department heads he called for the meeting later stood up and left the room.

“The movement (of personnel) can’t be helped since this is a fresh mandate,” he said in Cebuano in yesterday’s press briefing.

no reconciliation

Rama dismissed the possibility of a reconciliation with his opponent Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

“Personally, I have no problem with that. But it would be unfair to my supporters if I reach out to him. I do not want to create an emotional outburst,” he said in Cebuano.

Osmeña, for his part, said that reconciliation with Rama was no longer possible.

“I do not reconcile with the things he stand for. I do not like what he stands for and I cannot reconcile with a traitor,” he said.

With the election over, Mayor Rama said he wanted to pursue projects like the waterfront development, bridge projects to connect Andres Abellana to barangay Lahug, among others.

Rama said he welcomes help from former mayor Alvin Garcia in this, especially the Waterfront Development project which aims to turn the city’s port area into a tourism destination.

Rama also said he plans to go on a 22-day vacation to rest. But he would not say where he plans to go.