CEBU CITY (Feb. 20, 2024, Updated – 2:30 p.m. ) – Mayor Mike Rama and his son, Atty. Mikel Francisco Rama, have proposed to enfranchise the city back to the province.
Both intend to put essence in the concept of One Cebu Island for Cebuanos to become truly united and have a common cultural identity often manifested when celebrating the feast of Señor Santo Niño.
They floated the idea for public discussion during the Ingna’ng Mayor segment this morning over Sugboanon Channel just a few days leading up to the city’s celebration of its charter on Saturday, Feb. 24.
“Klaro kaayo nga naa’y intention (in the city’s charter), the spirit was very clear, nga we will vote for the provincial officials” the mayor said.
“Timely and opportune gyud, since hapit na ang February 24, and 87 years na sa pagka-charter (of the city), dili gyud na mawala ug wala gyud na mawala sa akong alimpatakan, ug pilit na nga kawsa sa akong dughan,” he added.
In particular, he wants the city to have a stake in the Cebu Provincial Government by allowing its residents to vote for the province’s governor, as well as the vice governor and seats in the provincial board.
“Being the capital of the whole Cebu Island, Cebu City should not suffer disenfranchisement,” the elder Rama said.
“I’m just fighting on what I believe my grandfather fought for,” he added.
But as a highly urbanized city, Mayor Rama said Cebu City should remain independent in its local government affairs.
However, he emphasized the importance of respect, collaboration, and cooperation between Cebu City and Cebu Province.
Klaro kaayo nga naa’y intention (in the city charter), the spirit was very clear, nga we will vote for the provincial officials. Timely and opportune gyud, since hapit na ang February 24, and 87 years na sa pagka-charter (of the city), dili gyud na mawala ug wala gyud na mawala sa akong alimpatakan, ug pilit na nga kawsa sa akong dughan.
Mayor Mike Rama
Mayor Rama said he has tasked his son to look into this matter and to coordinate with Cebu South District Rep. Eduardo Rama, Jr. in pushing for a possible amendment of the city’s charter law in Congress.
“Ang importante si Mikel iya na ni’ng gitrabaho karon,” he said.
Disenfranchisement due to ‘politics’
Mikel noted that his plan to reassess the charter aligns with the theme “Dakbayan Tinukod sa Katawan” showcased at the City’s Charter Day Exhibit that opened Monday.
He underscored the profound influence of shared geography on communal perspectives, emphasizing that despite individual differences, residents of a specific locale are inevitably shaped by their common upbringing.
Cebu City citizens should be considered integral to the broader context of Cebu province, he pointed out.
“Important kaayo nga sa atong charter (ang) pagtuki nato’g balik sa atong karta. Kay if you look at it, ang atong charter is the foundation sa atoang collective nga identity isip mga taga-siyudad sa Sugbo,” articulated Mikel.
Delving into the significance of Charter Day’s historical roots, he stressed the necessity of reassessing the foundational principles that could potentially impact Cebu City’s trajectory.
Mikel shared that his inquiries revealed Supreme Court rulings that effectively nullified certain provisions of the charter due to amendments that the Interim Batasang Pambansa introduced in Batas Pambansa 51.
“So, mura na siya’g (charter provisions) mawala, pulihan na siya sa (BP 51),” observed Mikel.
He further noted that the adjustments or revisions resulted in Cebu City being “disenfranchised” from Cebu Province in terms of its ability to select officials.
These modifications, Mikel explained, pertain to the classifications and categories of cities, encompassing highly urbanized cities, component cities, and independent cities.
He elaborated that, as a consequence, it became apparent that highly urbanized cities were to operate autonomously from their respective provinces. “Mo-vote (and elect) na differently,” observed Mikel.
The younger Rama said he found that the city’s voters were able to vote for provincial officials, while city residents could run for provincial positions, before 1979.
Cebu City mayors who served as Cebu governor include Arsenio V. Climaco (1923-30), Mariano Jesus D. Cuenco (1931-1934), Hilario H. Abellana (1941-1943), Jose Delgado (1943-1944) and Sergio V. Osmeña, Jr. (1951-1955).
Cebu City Councilors Jose Lorenzo Briones (1955-1961) and Osmundo G. Rama (1969-1976, OIC1986-1988) also served as Cebu governor, as well as city resident Jesus Marino “Rene” G. Espina (1963-1968), who later served as public works secretary and senator.
But on Dec. 22, 1979, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. signed BP 51, an act providing for the elective or appointive positions in various local governments.
The younger Rama said the law limited to registered voters of component cities and municipalities the right to vote for officials in the province where they are geographically located.
As a consequence, BP 51 prohibited voters in Cebu City to vote for provincial officials being a highly urbanized city, he explained.
Republic Act 5519, the law that created the charter of Mandaue City, first prohibited its citizens to vote for provinciial officials.
But an amendment of its charter on Dec. 23, 1987 allowed Mandaue citizens to vote for provincial officials, he shared.
Politics played a big part in the passage of BP 51, Mikel pointed out.
“Kay based on our own research, ang rason nganong gitangtang ang Cebu City ug ang Mandaue niadtong panahona was because of politikanhong nga intention,” he said.
After Serging Osmeña ran but purportedly lost to President Marcos in 1969, Cebu, particularly the urban cities of Cebu and Mandaue where most votes come from, have been perceived as an opposition country.
Like in other cities, historians saw BP 21 as a means to separate the voters and leaders from the urban centers and control the rest of the rural province.
“However, the political climate has since changed. Democracy is more alive than ever and the call of an increase of public participation in the affairs of government is evident,” Mikel argued.
Appreciating history
The younger Rama said the city’s month-long Charter Anniversary celebration should be an opportunity to appreciate the city’s history while also looking forward to its future prospects.
“I think it’s good to have that conversation as a society. Naa namay mga people who know about the history, know more about the laws, to discuss on how we can move forward,” he said.
Asked if there is a timetable for the formal review of the city’s charter, the younger Rama said “The most important thing is we’ve already started and we’ll see where it goes.” | PPRMN / cte / jkv / jsb
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