Reset the process

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama engaged the local media in a series of meetings ahead of the beginning of his 2nd term of office,  and at the Sancho Panza room of the Casino Español de Cebu last Thursday,  he met with editors and columnists of this paper for breakfast.

Before Mike came in, Rene Mercado, chairman of the Metro Cebu Water District updated us with developments in the water company. Team Rama’s public relations group led by Cerwin Eviota and Carlo Dugaduga were also around. A little later, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella joined us.

The highlight of the meeting with Mike was his master plan presented with PowerPoint materials and matching acronyms for quick recall.

Morag wa pa mahaw-asan si Mike ang eleksyon (It seemed as if Mike was not yet over the election) because he still made use of the campaign slogan, “ang hiwi tul-iron, ang bati nindoton, ang baho bag-ohon” (the crooked will be straightened, the ugly will be beautified, what stinks will be made new) in underlining some specific programs.

Mike is a conversationalist and once he has the “mic,” he can go on and on. He still has the tendency to ramble, but he tackled the bullet points of his presentation sharply, pausing here and there to explain some important decisions.

He let us in on his convictions like his opposition to the privatization of the Cebu City Medical Center despite the efforts of former Cebu City south district congressman Tomas Osmeña to hand over the facility to the private sector. Mike’s explanation can be found in Jim Wallis’ idea of “faith-based initiatives” in the book, “God’s Politics”.

Going back to the campaign slogan, I don’t know if he likes the slogan very much or the idea of giving it an extended run comes from his public relations staff, because the whole point of his reelection is that the people are already sold out on his platform.

During the meeting, Mike let out a buzzword that I think is upbeat and apt post-election, something that is not only catchy but also in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s daang matuwid (straight path) line: Way kawat (Visayan equivalent for “no stealing”).

Hizzoner impressed upon his listeners that he will not tolerate graft and corruption in City Hall and I think he has the credibility to enforce the policy because no whispers have been heard about his pocketing public money out of government transactions while he was a councilor, a vice mayor and chief executive.

To start the Q & A with Cebu Daily News editors, key news staff and columnists, I raised the topic of his opposition to the appointment of Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr. as Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief.  Mike has been complaining that the Philippine National Police hierarchy did not consult him in the selection of Jun Natuel.

Mike’s choice is former CCPO head, Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, who, in the mayor’s estimation, was summarily assigned at the height of the May 2013 election season to another post. The sudden disappearance of Buenafe and the appointment of Jun Natuel annoys Mike who believes this is all part of his political rival’s manipulations.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s choice for the key post is Senior Supt. Noli Romana who is currently chief of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office. Romana and Buenafe are buddies; they used to be classmates in the Philippine Military Academy.

During the birthday celebration last Friday of Diana Limchua, owner and chief executive officer of Cebu City Catholic TV Network, a media colleague told me that Romana’s stint in Negros Oriental may be summed up in his failure to stop illegal gambling in Guihulngan City.

According to my source, the mastermind of the illegal gambling operation is very close to a top local official. If true, this is very grave to say the least because the failure of the police in stamping out illegal operations is oftentimes tied up with their connivance or even co-production in the illegal enterprise.

When asked to respond to the aforesaid reports, Romana said he will perform better once he is assigned in Cebu, practically owning up not just to the prevalence of illegal gambling in the neighboring province but also corruption within the organization.

With that as background, will Mike still hold his ground and push for Romana’s appointment?

On the other hand, why can’t he work with Jun Natuel? Mike didn’t spell out anything against the latter but I think this has something to do with negative feedback about the current city police chief. Before his appointment, Natuel was the police chief of Lapu-Lapu City. I don’t recall any controversy linking him to illegal acts, unlike what is happening now with respect to Romana who is being criticized by no less than the regional police chief.

Mike has all the right to complain and he could very well leverage gasoline allowances for the local PNP, but where would that take our people? One positive thing though that resulted in Mike’s decision to ventilate his grievance is getting the public weigh-in on Romana’s track record.

Having said that, Mike should view the situation not from the perspective of his wounded feelings but rather from the standpoint of what is good for the city.

Mike reads this corner, so may I offer my humble suggestion: Reset the process of selection.