CEBU - Unless City Administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez and city planning chief Nigel Paul Villarete would tell him they cannot work with him as their mayor, Acting Mayor Michael Rama said he will not accept the offers of resignation of the two city officials.
In a press conference yesterday, Rama said he has full trust and confidence on Fernandez and Villarete, the same way that mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña trusts the two.
Fernandez and Villarete had offered to step down from their posts as a sign of respect to Rama.
They said they maintain a good working relationship with the vice mayor but would want him to choose a city administrator and city planning officer can fully trusts.
For his part, city public information officer Nagiel Banacia said he will not resign as city spokesperson because it would create the impression that he does not trust Rama.
“Kon mo-tender ko og courtesy resignation, bati kaayo tan-awon kay mora ko og walay pagsalig sa acting mayor. Kon wala na’y pagsalig si acting mayor Rama namo mahimo man nga dili niya pirmahan ang among kontrata sa sunod tuig,” Banacia said.
Rama assumed as acting mayor after Osmeña left for the United States last October to seek treatment on the cancer in his urinary bladder.
The positions of the city administrator and public information officer are co-terminous with that of the appointing authority. Osmeña’s term as mayor will end in 2010 but he has earlier endorsed Rama to take his place.
Meanwhile, Rama yesterday warned “lazy” employees of the city, particularly those in the Cebu City Medical Center, to “shape up” or risk the possibility of getting fired from their jobs.
Rama said the city will be stricter in monitoring the performance of city government employees starting December 9.
No straight explanation was given why he chose this particular date but a member of his staff said his third month of acting as mayor falls on this date.
Rama said already directed the 525 employees of CCMC to perform their job well “to satisfy the needs of the public who cannot afford to have themselves confined in private hospitals.”
Rama, however, refused to categorically answer if, like Osmeña, he is also interested in selling the 47-year-old public hospital to an interested buyer. The University of San Carlos is reportedly interested to take over the CCMC.
Osmeña earlier said he would be willing to sell the CCMC if the buyer would be willing to shoulder the separation pay of the employees together with the city government. – Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)