Rama distributes P7M to barangay officials

CEBU, Philippines - Weeks before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections, the Cebu City government distributed a total of P7 million in honoraria to at least 800 barangay officials in the city.

Mayor Michael Rama gathered all the barangay officials at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino yesterday for the release of their honoraria.

Rama said that politics will not be avoided in the move since he is a politician.

“Hala ato kunong balihon, ayaw panghatag diba ang ending ana igo gihapon ka sa politika. Manghatag ka imong giigo, imong giserbisyuhan ang katawhan kung mao man gani na ang politika, hala mag sige kog politika,” he told reporters.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the city prepared P1.2 million to co-ver for the honorarium of the barangay captains, P5 million for the councilmen, P480,000 for the barangay treasurers, and P480,000 for the barangay secretaries.

At least 80 barangay captains received P15,000 each. The 560 councilmen received P9,000 each, while 80 barangay treasurers and 80 secretaries received P6,000 each.

The barangay officials received their third tranche of the honoraria this year.

Rama said he asked the barangay officials if they are supporting his administration, but clarified that he is not asking them to be part of his political party.

“Ang akoa is just hi, hello ra unya of course kahibalo man mo nako nga kung makakita ko nila mangutana man gyod ko kung modaog pa ko? Ana. Paghuman, kuyugan gihapon ko ninyo?” he asked, saying that some answered yes while others did not categorically answered.

Tejero Barangay Councilman Garry Lao, a supporter of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan party of Rama’s archenemy, former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, said he was thankful for the early release of the honorarium.

But Lao, in his Facebook account, questioned if the release of the honoraria was also done to check who were loyal to Rama.

“LOYALTY CHECK? Mayor Rama again talks about 2016 election. ‘Modaog kaha si Mike Rama?’ That was the question he asked to the barangay officials. Gipayaka na pud, nganong mangyaka man nga naay lingkuranan?” Lao posted in his social media account.

The filing of certificate of candidacies will be from October 12 to 16, 2015. —  Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/ATO