CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that there is nothing political about his being the guest speaker during the graduation rites of the controversial Mandaue City College under Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete last Saturday at the Montebello Villa Hotel.
Rama took the chance to tell his personal story of being a victim of intrigue to the around 100 graduates finishing their doctorate, masters, baccalaureate and associate degrees.
In his speech, Rama emphasized that he has been a victim of many intrigues and circumstances, but he should never get to be affected for he has a pure heart and a clear mind.
“It’s a clear mind and a pure heart and I am performing in the name of public service and in the name of God and I don’t mind if some sectors and personalities will capitalize and create intrigue of what I am doing for as long as I can make people smile, for as long as I can make people look at me whether I do not know how they will describe where I am standing, I don’t care but the most important thing I am here because I was invited,” Rama said.
Rama asked the graduates to be his living witnesses that there is no politics that should be connected about his presence and to put in the annals of history that he has been a part of commencement exercises of MCC.
MCC President Cañete told reporters that they tried inviting Rama without political color as courtesy for holding their activity in a venue located in Cebu City.
The school under Cañete does not have the blessings of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, who has backed the school under Dr. Susana Cabahug.
The establishment of MCC during the term of then mayor, now Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano was invalidated when Mayor Cortes assumed office and established another college.
There is now a “street fight” between the two cities when Cebu City banned public utility jeepneys from Mandaue to enter the heart of city. Mandaue City has banned garbage trucks of Cebu City from entering the city en route to the sanitary landfill in Consolacion.
“Education should not be a subject to quarrel,” Rama pointed out adding that he has not dealt with the controversy.
Sympathetic
Keynote speaker, A-Teacher Partylist Rep. Julieta Cortuna, expressed sympathy to the school administration under Cañete as well as the graduates having had also felt the difficulties they have experienced.
It was the 13th commencement exercise with the theme, “Persistent Pursuit of Education Amidst Overwhelming Odds.”
“That persistent pursuit of education is at the center of this institution, it is at the heart of all the leadership, it is at the heart of all of you graduates, and for that, in behalf of A-Teacher Partylist, you deserve a respect and compassions and our congratulations,” Cortuna said.
Cortuna challenged the graduates not to submerge their dreams, help reengineer the government and face reality that politics is part of those challenges.
“Let this institution, the Mandaue City College, survive, compete and exist, let us foster result oriented practices,” she said.
Among the graduates were two who completed their Doctorate of Philosophy.
There were also 94 Master in Education graduates; one Diploma in Professional Education; one Bachelor in Secondary Education; one Bachelor Industrial Technology; 17 Associate in Industrial Technology and one Associate in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Services Management.
ASSURANCE
“Usa ni ka timailhan nga nagpadayun gihapon pag-abli ang Mandaue City College,” Cañete said as he assured the graduates of having no hindrance of their status.
Cañete got a temporary restraining order on the closure ordered by the Commission on Higher Education.
The case will be heard tomorrow. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)