Rama threatens to sue over Pagcor statement

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has threatened to file criminal charges against Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales for saying that the City Council will ask for a summary of expenses that were charged to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. funds because the mayor is spending “left and right,” including for the Rama Compound.

The normally soft-spoken mayor lost his usual cool during a press conference yesterday and challenge Andales to prove that he used public funds for personal interest.

City Accountant Diwa Cuevas had furnished Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña a summary of expenses that showed that only P17.9 million is left in the Pagcor trust fund after City Hall already spent P65.2 million of the fund from January to June 11.

“Unsay pagtuo ni Andales nga ang Pagcor funds gigamit nako sa Rama Compound? Ipaklaro na niya kay ikiha nako siya og libel. Wala madungog nga corrupt ang mga Rama, wala na tingali siya kaila nako da, ingna siya!” the mayor angrily said.

According to the mayor, Andales has nothing on what happens inside the Rama Compound, where Rama’s residence is situated.

“If he wants to create war against us, Andales versus Rama, tell him!” he said.

The mayor explained that he is ready to die to protect the good image of his family name.

“Kami wala mi mangawat sa kwarta sa gobyerno, nanarbaho mi, ambot lang sila kon unsay ilang pangabuso sa gobyerno,” he said.

Since Rama announced that he will seek reelection during the next year’s elections, several persons have been visiting the Rama Compound almost everyday.

But Rama said “Magbuot man sila og unsay buhaton sa Rama Compound, nanghilabot ba ko unsay ilang gihimo sa Andales Compound?”

Andales recalled that it was Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa who started the issue and he just added some points to it.

“If my memory serves me right, Abellanosa made mention of activity in Rama Compound and my alleged statement was perhaps the continuation of the observation of Abellanosa and it is privilege communication. At any rate this is a trivial matter, I just wait and see his next move,” Andales said.

He further explained that the Committee on Budget and Finance headed by Councilor Margot Osmeña observed that the Office of the Mayor had charged several expenses for food and drinks to Pagcor funds.

This is why the City Council, upon the motion of Andales, is asking the executive department to summarize the items of expenses that were charged to Pagcor funds to see to if they follow the guidelines set by Pagcor.

“Ay sus, nganong karon ra man sila moreklamo ana nga sa una mas labaw pa man gani ang ilang gasto nga gi-charge sa Pagcor?”

The Cebu City Council had decided to be strict in spending the remaining P17.9 million in Pagcor funds.

All proposed expenses that will be charged with Pagcor funds shall be referred first to the Committee on Budget and Finance for review.

Pagcor gives P3 million to the Cebu City government every month as its share for allowing the operation of the Casino-Filipino within its territorial jurisdiction.  (FREEMAN)