Dad says Rama apologized for trip remarks

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama reportedly apologized to a city councilor over remarks he made on his China trip scheduled on Sept. 8 to 11.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla said the mayor apologized to him for remarks he made in last Wednesday’s press conference concerning the people he would include in his delegation for his trip to Xiamen, China.

Rama said it was his prerogative as mayor to choose whom he wanted to include in his delegation.

“You should bring people you are comfortable with. If you’re not comfortable with (them), why bring people on board?” he was quoted as saying.

Arcilla, a member of the opposition Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) dominated council, chairs the commerce and trade committee.

He said he felt slighted with the mayor’s statement.

“I work hard even if my contributions are small to the city. Now the mayor, who is our boss, would tell something like that to you,” Arcilla told Cebu Daily News.

He said he sent a text message to the mayor to ventilate his sentiments on the issue.

Arcilla said the mayor called him up to deny the statement, telling him he was misquoted.

He said the mayor apologized and he responded by saying that he felt offended by Rama’s remark.

“If (reports were) true, thanks. (But) I’m comfortable working with you for the good of the city of Cebu,” read part of Arcilla’s message to Rama.

The councilor said he wondered whether Rama’s snub had something to do with the runup to last year’s elections.

Arcilla was a Talamban barangay captain when he signed two petitions opposing Rama’s candidacy for city mayor.

Councilor Jose Daluz III proposed a resolution during the council’s session last Wednesday to authorize the mayor’s travel.

But approval was deferred next week after the council questioned Arcilla’s absence in the delegation.

They also wanted to know if consultants Eugene Elizade, Bo Varquez and newly appointed protocol officer Paul Hubahib are qualified to travel with the mayor.

Last Thursday, Rama said his planned China trip remains uncertain after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asked him to secure an electronic passport.

He said he asked the Philippine consulate office in China to coordinate with their Chinese counterpart.

Rama said his passport will expire next year. He also holds a U.S. visa. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac