Due to allegations vs son: Rama: No word from Tom about plan to go on leave

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that he has not received any word about any planned leave or resignation by Mayor Tomas Osmeña in relation to a recent incident involving his son, Miguel.

Rama said that he cannot say anything on the behalf of the mayor, who is now in Houston, Texas for a regular check-up in relation to his cancer treatment.

The mayor offered to either go on leave resign to make way for an unbiased investigation into allegations that Miguel threatened a female friend.

“I did not receive any communication and I refused to make a comment until I am communicated by the Mayor,” Rama said.

Osmeña announced he will go on indefinite leave upon his arrival tomorrow.

On the other hand, the management of Bakak Restobar yesterday visited the Office of City Administrator Francisco Fernandez regarding the technical violations found against them by agencies of Cebu City Hall.

Fernandez said they admitted not having any business permit, because of the problem on parking and they also did not have any permit to sell liquor.

He said the management of Bakak assured they will take it as a wake up call and will try their very best to comply.

“They said from now on they will already ask identification cards from customers to know if these are minors or not,” Fernandez said.

The reply of Bakak was to be submitted at the City Attorney’s Office yesterday afternoon.

Bakak Restobar is very near the University of San Carlos and is frequented by students not only from USC, but also from other nearby schools.

It was in Bakak where Miguel’s girlfriend Beatrice Villegas allegedly had too much to drink and was allegedly left alone by her friend Samantha Benitez, who had to attend to another friend.

Villegas was fetched from the bar by Miguel and later that night, she was rushed to the hospital due to constant vomiting.

Benitez said that Miguel got angry at her for failing to stop Villegas from drinking too much alcohol.

NO LEAVE/RESIGNATION

Jonathan Guardo, who will be running against Osmeña for congressman of the South District next year, does not believe the mayor is serious.

Guardo said he cannot believe that Osmeña will resign from his post.

“Mo-resign? Molansar man gani siya pagka kongresista kay dili kabiya sa SRP,” Guardo said referring to the South Road Properties.

“His reason to resign is too flimsy. If he will resign, it’s just a drama but his real intention is for him to concentrate on his campaign,” Guardo.

Councilors Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem and Eugenio Faelnar are not in favor that Osmeña will resign as mayor.

Jakosalem said “even going on leave would be unfair for the citizens of the city and those who believe in the mayor’s capability to run the city.

He said that it would have been another story if the accused was the mayor himself.

Faelnar also suggested that the issue should be resolved in the proper venue and Osmeña should not resign from his post.

“That is not the mayor’s grudge, its his son’s doing. It’s better for the mayor to let his son to speak for himself.”

Jakosalem added that “Also, us we know him well, and even those who barely do, trust him enough and know very well that he wouldn’t use his influence on this case. Mayor Osmeña had already declared that he would never lift or order anyone to harm Samantha or her family.”

Samantha is the 20-year old friend of Miguel’s girlfriend Bea Villegas who claimed that it could be the mayor’s son who shot and destroyed her camera that was hanged and just left at their gate, then sent her a threatening message through her cellphone.

   Benitez believes that Miguel is the one who destroyed her camera after some of her friends told her that the mayor’s son found it inside Villegas’ bag and Miguel reportedly said will be the one to return it to her. – Ferliza C. Contratista and Rene Borromeo/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)