Beefing up PDP-Laban

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama is looking at turning the recent unfortunate turn of events in his life as a time to go around the barangays down to the sitio level, not only in the city but the entire Cebu province and even in other areas in the Visayas region, to recruit more members of Partido Barug and of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).

He would be doing this while working on bringing to the Supreme Court the validity of the recent Ombudsman order putting him, City Administrator Collin Rosell, and six others under a six-month preventive suspension and also pursuing cases against those whom he said are trying to destroy his and his family’s reputation.

During a recent edition of the City Government’s online program under the RMN-Sugboanon Channel, he said he would use his time away from his office to go even to the sitio all over Cebu City and Cebu province to recruit new political members.

He also said that aside from Cebu, he is also looking at going around other areas in the Visayas, him being the PDP vice president for the Visayas.

PDP is one of the major political parties in the Philippines that field candidates in local and national elections.

It currently counts incumbent senators Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as members.

It also boasts as members several incumbent government officials, including 28 congressmen, 18 governors, 27 vice governors, 206 provincial board members, hundreds of mayors and vice mayors, and thousands of city and municipal councilors.

“Remember, I am the vice president (for the Visayas of PDP). I’ll be going down to the sitios and I’ll be going all throughout the Visayas and then I’ll be going down to the entire province of Cebu recruiting members of PDP,” Rama said.

“Nindot kaayo nang PDP. Unya basin gusto pud sila muapil sa BRT, Barug Rama Team, dili lang mutingog, mubarog pa!” he further said.

Rama said that their groups (PDP and BRT) recognize God and humanism.

“Naay Ginoo and humanism; we promote humane treatment in our dealings with each other,” he said.

He likewise said the PDP believes in the “socialist democracy” principle.

“Pasabot, focus on the people and we operate under the atmosphere and system called democracy,” Rama said, while also emphasizing on “enlightened nationalism” and not just lip service.

He also made it clear that the four employees who caused his suspension by filing complaints before the Ombudsman should rest assured he would not seek any form of revenge against them.

“Dili ko tawo nga manimawos, tawo ko nga reasonable, tawo nga humanist, consultative and participative…. Dili sila angay maguol kay personnel manager baya ko,” Rama said.

He also said that he could accept defeat graciously, should his opponents are proven to be right.

“I’m not a hard loser, I can smile...I can even smile to Tommy (Osmeña) bisan ang iyang gusto pa-resign-non gani ko,” Rama said.

He was referring to Osmeña saying days back that Rama should resign as national president of the League of Cities in the Philippines, following the preventive suspension.

“What’s else is new with him? I pity him, I pity him. Wala man siyay, kanang mo-end up gani ka’g declaration unya devoid ka og facts,” Rama said.

“Bright kaayo nga tawo, supposedly, pero dili na man manifestation of wit iyang gibuhat. Dili na sad manifestation of intelligence. There is something wrong in his statement. Mura’g nakalimot sad siya’g (former) mayor sad siya,” he added.

Rama wondered what is Osmena’s motivation in also chiming in.

“Pataka gani ka, ganahan ka ma-highlight. Basin motungtong lang siya sa pagguba nako diha kay naa diay siyay interest. Ayaw na lang,” he said.

Rama said he would just continue to pray to God that he would be able to surpass this latest hurdle blocking his way towards continuing his desire towards public service.--- /RHMm (CEBU NEWS)