Rama unfazed by council’s plan to have him investigated

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is unfazed by the plan of the city council to have him investigated by the Ombudsman for issuing brand new sports utility vehicles to barangay councilmen whose captains have declared allegiance to the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

“Alangan muhatag ta sa dili nato kauban. Ang kapitan pa gani ang nag-una og bugal-bugal sa Mayor so mura ko’g nagkuha og martilyo nga iduk-dok sa akong ulo, (Why should we give to those who are not our allies? The barangay captains are the ones who started insulting the mayor so it would be like getting a hammer to pound my head),” he said.

Rama said he clearly instructed the councilmen, to whom he entrusted the utility vehicles, that these shall be used for official purposes and for public service.

“My instruction is clear, use it for official purpose and do not use it for personal use because they will all be accountable,” Rama said.

He said that the purpose of issuing it to councilmen and not the captains allied with BOPK is to have someone who will be accountable for the vehicles and who has his trust and confidence.  Rama distributed brand new sports utility vehicles to the 80 barangays.

The P80 million budget for the purchase of SUVs was included in the 2012 Annual Budget.  Labangon barangay officials complained that Mayor Michael Rama did not turn over to their barangay their requested ambulance and service vehicle and entrusted it instead to a barangay councilman who is known as the mayor’s ally.

Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia said he was the one who requested the ambulance and this was supported by the Barangay Council but just after the ambulance was turned over to their barangay, City Hall quickly retrieved it reportedly for further inspection.

But Buendia said the ambulance was never returned to the barangay and he later learned that it was already under the care of Labangon Barangay Councilman Rudolfo Tabasa.

According to Buendia, Tabasa does not park the ambulance at the barangay hall, but in his residence.

The mayor also has no problem with some barangay captains or councilmen parking the city-issued vehicles in their residence.

“Mas maayo ra nga i-park sa balay kay sa ibutang sa barangay nga makawat pa gyud. (It’s much better that they park it at home instead of in the barangay hall where it may be stolen),” Rama said

Buendia said he and the other barangay officials were again surprised when they learned that the newly-purchased service vehicle for barangay Labangon was also entrusted to Tabasa.

The barangay captain said he was even made to choose the type of the service vehicle that will be purchased for Labangon, but it was not turned over to him.

Buendia said the move of Rama when he entrusted the service vehicle for the barangay for the use of only one barangay councilman is “quite inappropriate” because said vehicle is supposed to be a service vehicle for the barangay captain and not for any single member of the barangay council.

The mayor admitted that he decided not to give the vehicle to barangay captains who are not his supporters. “Nganong moreklamo man siya? Kauban ba diay mi? (Why is he complaining? Are we allies?) ” the mayor asked.

Aside from Labangon, the other barangays that had similar experiences include Talamban, T. Padilla, Guadalupe, Cogon-Pardo and a few others.The City Council has decided to refer the complaint of Buendia to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for further action. —  (FREEMAN)