BO-PK’s loss

I think the move of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to resign from the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) was  expected because he was clearly unwanted there.

Rama said he had been   a loyal BO-PK member from the start, abiding by the  group’s  principles till the end.   But it was  clear to Rama he was no longer wanted and was left with no choice but to leave.

I think Rama couldn’t  understand why he was  being criticized no end by BO-PK’s  founder  and practically  getting no support from the City Council that  condemned him for his action on  Mahiga Creek occupants despite the fact that the same order to demolish their shanties was ordered by  then mayor Tommy Osmeña way back in 2006.

Rama lamented that the City Council could have  called him to clarify certain issues before it passed a resolution condemning him for the demolitions he ordered.

The mayor also wondered why some quarters insist  he was not providing a relocation site to the displaced Mahiga Creek dwellers when  he never said so.

So he was hurt when  administrative and criminal cases were filed by Pagtambabayong, the foundation led by former Cebu City administrator Bimbo Fernandez.

Rama’s closeness with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia  never sat well with  Osmeña, who wanted Rama to consider her a common  enemy, which Rama does not.

The mayor, who doesn’t treat Garcia as an enemy, sees no reason to engage in a political fight with her, which would be unproductive for both the city and provincial government.

In his own view, Rama is sincere and seriously doing the job of the city mayor fairly well but not getting  support from his party.

For me, it is unfortunate that the relationship has reached this point. Like  many residents of the city I was and am amazed by the cohesiveness of the BO-PK and its strength.

The recent  resignation, whether we like it or not, may divide   party members and affect the BO-PK politically. It would have been perfect if former mayor Tomas Osmeña had given  Mayor  Rama the chance to work as city mayor and supported him until issues were cleared up.

By the way,  on the issue of the city consultants that drew  negative reactions,  Mayor Rama told me  he only appointed  11 consultants and that the 40 mentioned in news reports are consultants appointed by  former mayor Tommy Osmeña.

With that,  Mayor Rama is constrained to review the appointments to see, which should be renewed.

Rama clarified is that he also has to  review the appointments of heads of commissions  whose appointments were made during  Osmena’s term.

The end result will be that some may be terminated, especially those who have shown to take their stand with Osmeña.

It  is hoped that with these developments,  public services in Cebu City won’t be disrupted  by politics.

But Osmeña is already talking about the 2013 local election and contemplating on fielding Vice Mayor Joy Young or his wife Councilor Margot Osmeña run for mayor against Rama.

The election is still far off.  People need the smooth delivery of services from City Hall and not even thinking about the  2013 race.

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The cybersex operation  that was raided last week in a residence in Cordova town could be the tip of the iceberg.

Many residents there are reportedly engaged in this illegal and immoral activity.  It was revealed after the arrest  that the parents used their children in web camera shows for  paying customers through the Internet, forgetting that as parents their role is to take good care of their children and protect them from harm.

What was shocking was  the revelation of the NBI raiding team that they caught the couple at a time when the children were naked  and ready to expose their private parts to foreign customers online.

The parents should be charged in court to show  that the government and our society means business in protecting  children from  human  trafficking and other forms of abuse.