CEBU CITY (Feb. 22, 2024) –Mayor Mike Rama urged his opponents to “examine their conscience and themselves” rather than resorting to mudslinging.
The mayor made the comment after ousted Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) Board chairman Jose Daluz III called him “toxic” for the city in a statement he issued to a local daily.
Though he welcomed Daluz as a “worthy challenger,” Rama urged the former MCWD chairman to examine himself before he issues “offensive” comments.
“Magtan-aw ko sa newspaper no. Mag unite na daw ang opposition para papahawaon ko. Dayun kinsa man ang ipuli? Mga plunderers?” Rama said in his Ingna’ng Mayor program over Sugboanon Channel.
“Kinsa may mamuli? Kanang mga kawatan? Susmaryosep!” the mayor added.
Lenten contemplation
Rama also urged Daluz and other challengers to the mayorship to observe the Lenten Season, which is currently ongoing.
“Lent Season man run, time for forgiveness, time for repentance, and most of all, time for an examination of conscience. Makonsensya mo,” he added.
As to Daluz’s “toxic” comment, Rama said he does not mind it.
“He can describe me anything, but I’m sorry, I’m still the mayor,” he said.
“They are bright enough, they are honorable, if they are still honorable,” he added.
In a SunStar Cebu report, Daluz urged members of the city’s opposition to unite to remove Rama and to save Cebu against “toxic Mike.”
Daluz issued the statement after Rama announced on Feb. 17, 2024 that Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia will still be his running mate in the 2025 midterm elections. Rama also recently announced the possible lineup of candidates for his party.
The former MCWD board chairman’s beef against Rama began last year after the mayor dismissed Daluz and two other board members were removed due to loss of confidence.
The mayor sought for Daluz’s removal after the latter’s failure to improve the city’s water situation despite an impending El Nino that critically affect MCWD’s consumers.
Regarding former mayor Tomas Osmena’s opinion on the Rama-Garcia tandem in 2025, the incumbent mayor said: “He is entitled to his own reaction.”
On the possibility that Osmena might run against him in next year’s elections, Rama said he is looking forward to it.
“I am so excited to see who will be running. Once the filing will be done, then lets talk about (them).
But all of them, as I have said, they are worthy opponents. Bisag apil pa ang iro,” he added.
He also assured Garcia that he won’t block the latter’s path to run for mayor after his term.
“Ang mga Rama dili laog, ang mga Rama dili maro. Dili mi hakog og position,” Rama said.
Rama advised his vice mayor to start building his political platform to prepare himself.
“That is why I told Raymond, build yourself up. The foundation is very important. And what is that foundation? Why not perfect it? If you were not perfect before, now do your mending.
Like grandfather, like grandson
Rama said that being challenged by politicians is nothing new to him. |
He said that Rama clan’s brand of politics and its penchant to attract “jealous rivals” began during the time of Don Vicente Rama, his grandfather.
“Ang pamilyang Rama mosikat man gyud na basta Pebrero. Daghang politiko masuya sa pamilyang Rama kada Pebrero,” the mayor said.
“Ngano man? Dili man ang ilang pamilya maoy naninguha and struggled like a lone ranger in making Cebu City a chartered city,” he added. | PPRMN / jkv
Cebu City • News & Information 