NEWS BRIEFS
BO-PK bought votes not me, Rama insists
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said it was his opponents in the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) and not him who engaged in vote-buying in the mid-term elections.
In a press conference held at the mayor’s office yesterday Rama, who returned from his Hong Kong vacation, said it was unlikely for people who claimed to be smarter than him to accuse him of cheating in the elections.
“Unsay may hocus pocus? Sila maoy bright. Sila ang taas ug IQ unya ako ngilngig mo operate? (What hocus pocus? They’re the bright ones, they have the high IQ and now they accuse me of engaging in underhanded operations),” he said.
Rama said the BO-PK should learn to accept and respect the decision of the Cebu City residents.
He said their insistence on a recount of the votes shows how amateurish they are in local politics.
“I thought they are the veterans (here)? Veterans can accept defeat in silence. (But) now I am beginning to doubt. They are after all amateurs. I’m really sorry for them. I think they deserve the defeat,” Rama said.
On the contrary Rama said he received text messages claiming that BO-PK local leaders paid P500 to P1,000 per vote during the elections.
Outgoing Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district and running mate Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young filed an election protest before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Thursday.
They petitioned for a recount of votes cast in the May 13 election and the annulment of Rama and Vice Mayor-elect Edgardo Labella’s proclamation, citing massive vote-buying and coercion as grounds for their protest.
Attached to their complaint are 10 affidavits from witnesses who claimed they were paid P100 to vote for Team Rama candidates. Rama said he is yet to receive a copy of the election protest.
Rama also laughed at claims by BO-PK allies that he is now wearing an amulet and used black magic to win in the May 13 elections.
Prior to the elections, a local fortune-teller predicted that he will win in the elections.
He said the silver cross that he started to wear for good luck shortly before the elections was a gift from the Oasis of Love while the gold cross was a gift from a friend.
Rama blew the gold cross to show that it was a whistle, not an amulet.
He said the whistle will be useful to him especially during emergency situations like when he needs to personally direct traffic. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac
Capitol donates P3M for Cebu Business Month
ABOUT P3 million will be donated by the Capitol as financial assistance to the programs and activities of Cebu Business Month (CBM) this June.
The Provincial Board (PB) unanimously approved in its session yesterday a resolution authorizing acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale to donate P3 million to the CBM main organizer, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
The resolution stated that CCCI “has been an active partner with the provincial government” and the Capitol is doing its part to support its partnership with the business chamber.
The Capitol required CCCI to submit a detailed breakdown of the P3 million financial assistance and a program concept of the sponsored activity.
On its 17th observance of CBM, CCC aims to attract more investments in the province particularly in information technology – business process outsourcing (IT-BPO), creative industries, tourism and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The CBM is an annual event that highlights the development and successes of entrepreneurs and companies in Cebu with activities aimed at promoting business, investment and entrepreneurship. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos
PB calls on govt to protect Cebuano workers in Taiwan
THE Provincial Board (PB) filed a resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to render assistance to Cebuano workers in Taiwan who were facing harassment following the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in Philippine waters.
The resolution sponsored by PB member Arleigh Sitoy was filed amid reports of discrimination faced by Filipino workers.
About 2,991 Cebuanos work in Taiwan, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos
