Mayor reiterates stance vs. People’s Initiative
CEBU CITY (Feb. 25, 2024) – “Marcos, Duterte do your job!”
Mayor Mike Rama made the call tonight to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the Prayer Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Peace, and Security at Kasadya sa SRP.
He asked the country’s two top leaders to fulfill their duties and promise of the UniTeam that they envisioned to lead the nation towards progress through unity.
“We don’t need another EDSA … because when we can see things not going well, it will always be the people complaining,” Rama said.
“When the welfare of the people will be desecrated, trampled upon, what’s going to happen?” he asked.
“(When) the people will be disenchanted, the people will look for something that they will be comfortable and that their relief will be granted,” he pointed out.
“We should be united, indivisible, undivided,” he added, emphatically.
We don’t need another EDSA … because when we can see things not going well, it will always be the people complaining. When the welfare of the people will be desecrated, trampled upon, what’s going to happen?
Mayor Mike Rama
On that note, Mayor Rama reiterated his staunch opposition to the People’s Initiative.
“We are not for sale. Cebu City is not for sale. Our country is not for sale,” he declared.
Rama also called for collective prayers for unity during the rally that Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, who was acting Vice Mayor, also attended.
‘Yukbo’
Meanwhile, in observance of the significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Mayor Rama urged Cebuanos not to be subservient to anyone.
In his remarks during the Yukbo: The Revival concert event, he underscored the necessity for Cebuanos to stand firm on principles and always uphold what their hearts dictate.
He described the activity earlier tonight at Plaza Independencia as “timely” with the current issue to amend the constitution through people’s initiative.
Rama decried anew what he referred to as “congressional initiative” and “secret initiative” on attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution.
He previously declared his stance for a constitutional convention of representatives elected for the purpose.
Thousands of Cebuanos braved the inclement weather, gathering at SRP and Plaza Independencia, raining moderately from late afternoon until about 8 p.m.
The SRP rally aimed to raise awareness and oppose the ongoing signature People’s Initiative, a signature campaign with a contentious bid to amend the Constitution through the House of Representatives.
Critics like Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who spoke at the rally, argue the initiative serves to entrench officials in power.
As of press time, the crowd awaited former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to speak.
At the EDSA commemoration concert, at least 22 Cebu-based bands performed and played their popular bisrock (Bisaya rock) tunes since the mid-2000s.
Lemuel Felisario, executive director of the city’s Coastal Management Board and prime mover in the development of the Cebu City Eco Park, produced the concert.
Lawyer Mel Libre, a veteran musician, composer, singer, deejay and concert producer now living in Hamilton, New Zealand, started the Yukbo concert series since 2008 to celebrate the triumph of People Power in 1986.
Its revival after hiatus for many years since Libre went abroad led to the event’s moniker “The Revival.”
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