Capitol’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo: Rama Opposes CCSC as venue

CEBU, Philippines — Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has opposed the holding of the Capitol’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo at the newly-refurbished Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) this coming August 25, 2024.

In a press conference yesterday, Rama stressed that staging the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo at the CCSC does not make sense.

“Ayuhunon paman gani. Furthermore, nganong diha man gyud? Please, please, please wala na gyuy laing lugar? Pasigarbo man na (Cebu Province)...This is Cebu City,” Rama said.

Instead, Rama suggested repairing the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) to host the Pasigarbo, or alternatively, holding it at the SRP, and reserving the CCSC for sports activities.

“Asa man atong sentido kumon ani? Pasigarbo sa Probinsya man na. Dili man na Pasigarbo sa dakbayan sa Sugbo,” Rama further stressed.

Rama also reminded Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia of the city’s autonomy from the Cebu provincial government.

He emphasized this point after highlighting the ongoing feud between the Cebu City government and the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), which has received support from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Acting Mayor Garcia sat down with CPA to iron out certain issues, a move Rama criticized, saying diplomacy should not be used to cover-up any illegality.

Rama stressed that the city has local autonomy yet acting mayor Garcia consults with Governor Garcia and even regarding her as a “special consultant.”

Acting Mayor Garcia is the nephew of Capitol Governor Garcia.

“Let’s operate with functionality and with much practicability…We don’t need to be consulting, to be asking (the Governor),” Rama said, adding that the Capitol as consultant is a no-no as it is against the distinction of the city’s autonomy.

“The Governor has nothing to do with the city...The city’s autonomy should be respected,” he added.

During the press conference, Rama addressed several other concerns, but not the topic many were anticipating: the photos that circulated online over the weekend showing him with Liga ng mga Barangay Cebu City chapter president Franklyn Ong, acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, and even MCWD Joey Daluz, with whom Rama has had disagreements.

Instead, Rama, in a prepared question-and-answer video discussed his concerns over the decisions of the acting mayor on the “moratorium” imposed during the Palarong Pambansa.

Rama initially expressed disappointment that acting Mayor Garcia has not upheld his promise to refrain from interfering with Rama’s policies, despite their alliance in the last elections.

Moreover, Rama said he never received an invitation to the recently-concluded Palaro.

Rama also mentioned the Capitol’s alleged power play concerning the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project which, he said, only caused further delays of its operation.

He also reminded that while the incentives and rewards to City Hall’s job orders were released during Garcia’s term as the acting mayor, it was him who pushed for it.

Rama is also considering conducting an inventory of the non-renewal of some of his staff at City Hall. — (FREEMAN)