‘I wasn’t invited’, says Aquino; Cebu City mayor put on the spot

President Benigno Aquino III yesterday greeted Cebuanos ahead of Sunday’s Sinulog but stirred a controversy by commenting that “I wasn’t invited.”

“Bagamat wala ho’ng nag-imbita sa akin (Even if nobody invited me), Viva Pit Señor!” he told a crowd of 5,000 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex where he introduced senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party on stage.

Aquino was in Cebu for the inauguration of Austal Philippine Shipbuilding in Balamban town and the public presentation of the senate lineup of LP, which he heads. (See story on page 2)

Aquino later said an invitation may have been sent and “probably it was buried underneath” the large volume of mail in his office.

“I understand our office receives 15,000 invitations a month,” he told reporters, adding that he couldn’t attend the Sunday parade because of a prior commitment that day in Zamboanga, which he hasn’t visited yet since the 2010 election.

A surprised Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said this was the second time his invitation to the President to attend the Sinulog in January didn’t “reach” him.

“Last year, the invitation letter didn’t reach him but he came anyway.” said the mayor.

In a separate interview, Rama showed a copy of his Jan. 5, 2013 letter sent to the President through LBC courier service on Jan. 7 and by e-mail. It was received on Jan. 8 by a certain Patrick Rafanan, based on his office record.

Similar invitations were sent to former president Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director, said the mayor’s office sent an invitation by fax as well on Jan. 9 and that the Office of the President sent back a profile sheet for details of the event which Ballesteros filled up.

Some quarters may see the “missing” invitation as another sign of the noticeable gap between the two officials.

Although Mayor Rama belongs to the Liberal Party, he’s found himself the odd man out after party leaders, particularly Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, did not support his reelection bid, and instead favored his opponent Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña who is running for the mayorship in a comeback bid in May.

Rama has openly lamented what he called the “unfairness” of the party’s choice to back his rival.

Rama was not in the LP event yesterday at the Mandaue city gym where at least six senate candidates were introduced: Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Angara, Jun Magsaysay Jr., former senator Jambee Madrigal, and Senator Koko Pimentel.

Las Pinas Rep. Mark Villar represented his mother, Cynthia Villar, as guest candidate of LP.

Secretary Roxas, Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda were also there.

Leading the Cebu LP were Hilario Davide III, acting Gov. Agnes Magpale. Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Consolacion Mayor Teresita Alegado.

Congressmen like Luigi Quisumbing, Tomas Osmeña, and Red Durano were present.

Provincial Board members Thadeo Ouano, Arleigh Sitoy, Wilfredo Caminero and Peter John Calderon were also present.

The President left the venue before 12 noon.

Magpale told CEBU DAILY NEWS she and other LP members had the chance to chat with the President over lunch at the Most Important Person (MIP) lounge at the Mactan Cebu International Airport before he left for Zamboanga at 2 p.m.

Asked what they discussed, she said “Nothing much. He was so relaxed and joking most of the time,” Magpale said.

Earlier in the morning, Magpale and Mayor Rama were together in the VIP Lounge of the airport waiting for a flight of balikbayan passengers as part of the annual Balik Cebu welcome for the Sinulog.

Magpale had to leave ahead to catch up with the President.

Just before she stepped out, the mayor reminded her to ask Aquino about his response to his invitation to attend Sunday’s grand Sinulog parade which starts at 9 a.m.

“The Sinulog is beyond politics,” Rama explained to reporters.

“The Sinulog is supposed to unite everyone for the good of Cebu.”/Correspondents Jhunnex Napallacan and Edison delos Angeles