President Manuel Quezon’s appointment of Don Vicente Rama as Cebu City Mayor
[September 14, 1938]
My dear Assemblyman Rama:
Due to repeated requests of the present mayor of Cebu to be returned to the classified service, I am constrained to grant his petition. Mr. Alfredo V. Jacinto has been an efficient and loyal public servant in all the positions in the classified service, which he has occupied for many years, and my hopes, in appointing him mayor of Cebu, have been more than justified. Nevertheless, I am aware of the fact that his indefinite continuance in the mayorship, besides exposing him to the uncertainties of politics, also removes him from the branch of service in which Government officials are assured of permanence of position while they render satisfactory service.
This makes it necessary for me to appoint a new mayor for Cebu, and I have arrived at the conclusion that none better than you can be called upon to occupy the position. You are the author of the law which has converted the municipal government of Cebu into a city government. This law, inspired by the highest sense of patriotism and responsibility, should be justified in the eyes of the people. From all viewpoints, it is your duty to prove in practice that the conversion of an elective municipal president into an appointive mayor is justified. In conceiving the idea of making the post of mayor appointive, you acted under the belief that such a mayor is in a better position to serve the collective interests, as he is not bound by partisan exigencies, than an elective mayor. I am prepared to give you an opportunity to make good in practice the doctrine involved in the legislation you have sponsored. And so I offer you the mayorship of Cebu after the expiration of your term as assemblyman, as I cannot appoint you before this time due to a specific prohibition in the Constitution.
I request you to excuse yourself from your constituents and not to present your candidacy for reelection. I know that because of your services to the country from the halls of the Assembly, you are entitled to a reelection, and that the electorate of Cebu will reelect you in any district of the province where you may launch your candidacy. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the circumstances of the case, I am convinced that it is your duty to accept the post I now offer you, and I expect that you will not hesitate in giving me your affirmative answer.
Sincerely yours,
(Sgd.) MANUEL L. QUEZON
President of the Philippines
Hon. Vicente Rama
Assemblyman for Cebu
Cebu, Cebu
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