CEBU CITY (October 10, 2022) — Mayor Mike Rama today challenged City Hall employees to measure the way they conduct themselves through the Rotary’s “Four-Way Test” and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals’ (BCBP) mantra on honesty.

The Four-Way Test goes this way:  Is it the TRUTH?  Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Mayor Mike Rama. (PIO/File)

The BCBP’s advocacy, on the other hand advices that one should “be honest, even if others are not, even if others will not, even if others cannot”.

“Testing-ngi kuno ang inyong kaugalingon nakapasar ba mo sa four-way test,” the mayor dared the employees in today’s flag-raising ceremony.

He asked them if in their daily lives they always live by the truth; if they are not among those who try to take unfair advantage of every situation; if they are not rumor-mongers and with bad attitudes, thus fomenting discord instead of goodwill and friendship; and if they are not lazy, corrupt, debt defaulters, and unaccommodating.

“Sweldohan sa gobyerno apan mopanso ra unya molakaw, unya mobalik nasad para mopanso…. Bati ang kinaiya, hiwi, baho, gubot, hugaw, og way nahibaw-an,” the mayor said.

Sweldohan sa gobyerno apan mopanso ra unya molakaw, unya mobalik nasad para mopanso…. Bati ang kinaiya, hiwi, baho, gubot, hugaw, og way nahibaw-an.

Mayor Mike Rama

“Kung tanang molupyo sa Pilipinas ilang gi-way of life ang Four-Way Test, pagkanindot,” the mayor said.

He mentioned the Rotary because he summoned to join him at the elevated section of the flag-pole Architect Yumi Espina, a Rotary governor whom he said “the city could not afford” but was humble enough to accept the challenge when asked to help his administration.

Among those he summoned to join him was City Attorney Eugene Orbita, who is a long-time member of the BCBP.

(Left to right) Lawyer Eugene Orbita, City Legal Office head; Roberto Varquez, SRP Management Office head; Lawyer Jerone Castillo, Office of the Mayor special assistant for fiscal reforms; Lawyer Colin Rosell, the mayor’s executive secretary; Engr. Suzanne Ardosa, City administrator; and  Ian Hassamal, head of the Local School Board, were asked by Mayor Mike Rama (2nd from right) to stand beside him as he gives important announcements in today’s flag-raising ceremony. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

He asked Orbita to recite, for the benefit of the City Hall employees, the BCBP moral code of staying honest even if it means you are the only one doing it.

“Be honest, even if others are not, even if others will not, even if others cannot. Be honest. That is our movement,” he said.

“As government employees, it is a must to be honest, for honesty is the best policy,” added the mayor.

The May 16, 2022 memorandum that sets the standards that City Hall employees must adhere to for their contracts to be renewed.

Last May 16, 2022, Mayor Rama issued Memorandum No. 226-05-2022 telling all co-terminous and job order and casual employees in the executive department that their respective contract, which should end on June 30, would be renewed after an evaluation based on eight criteria.

The mayor said they must not be thieves, lazy, messy, rumor-mongers, troublesome, ignorant, debt defaulters, and backstabbers.  (PIO/rhm)