Rama hits Tomas over vote-buying allegations

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday criticized Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña for accusing him and the Team Rama of allegedly engaging in vote-buying to win the elections.

“I thought they are veteran (politicians). You know veterans can keep silent in defeat, now I am giving to doubt they are after all amateurs,” the mayor said during his press conference at his office yesterday.

Osmeña and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young had filed an election protest against Rama and Vice Mayor-Elect Edgardo Labella before the Commission on Elections in Manila.

Several persons have executed affidavits claiming that they were offered P100 to P300 by Team Rama leaders in exchange for votes in favor of the Team Rama candidates, particularly for the mayor and vice mayor.

“They continue dreaming and they have not yet been awakened. Ako ba ang namayad? Ako ba? Mike Rama ba? Edgar Labella ba? Crime is supposed to be personal unless if there is a conspiracy, they should know that,” Rama said angrily.

“I think they can be gracious in their defeat, sorry. I wanted to be magnanimous in victory but if that’s the way they are projecting I’m very sorry for them, I think they deserve the defeat,” he added.

Osmeña explained that he and Young filed the election protest against Rama and Labella for them to prove that they really won.

“I filed a protest so Rama can prove that he really won. What’s his problem?” Osmeña said.

When asked about Rama’s claim that he has no money to engage in vote-buying, the south district legislator said “people know better.”

During the press conference yesterday, Rama said if there were people who were given P100 by their leaders during election day it was their canvassers and poll watchers.

He said he found it amusing that those who have entered politics ahead of him are the ones acting like newbies.

“Naunsa ba sila, mora man sila’g karon pa,” the mayor said.

“Kinsa man go’y nag-submit og mga SALN (Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth) nga milyon-milyon? Unya ako na hinoo’y mamalit? Wala sila baliwa? Sila maoy mga bright, sila maoy mga taas og IQ, unya ako na hinoo’y ngilngig nga mi-operate? Ila ra nang estorya, binuang na, sila go’y bright,” Rama added.

During yesterday’s flag ceremony, Rama also announced to thousands of employees that a revamp at City Hall is inevitable.

Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor chief Collin Rosell relayed that the announcement could be directed to those who actively supported Rama’s opponents.

“He mentioned that revamp is definite, ‘there will be revamp but do not blame me for that because I have been telling you about it’,” Rosell said, quoting the mayor who attended the flag ceremony in celebration of National Flag Day yesterday. —BRP (FREEMAN)