Rama denies link to canisters: Tom vs Mike: Butane battle

CEBU, Philippines - The issue of butane canisters seems to have crossed to politics.

After the city government recovered canisters labeled “Type O,” the brand of former mayor Tomas Osmeña’s political group Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), photos of canisters and stoves with an image of Mayor Michael Rama surfaced yesterday.

The canisters and stoves also bore Rama’s slogan, “Together, we can make things happen.”

A photo of the canisters and stoves was shown to reporters Thursday morning following a forum initiated Osmeña and business players of butane refilling stations.

The forum was targeted to respond to claims on the hazards of using butane canisters refilled with liquefied petroleum gas, which the manufacturers believe had to be proven scientifically.

Osmeña himself posted the photo of the canisters and stoves with Rama’s image on Facebook.

His caption reads: “Let’s play a little game, shall we? Tomorrow, the media is going to attack me on the issue of butane. I know because I was interviewed about it ganina… They will then make special mention the blue and yellow ‘Type O’ cans that I brought in.

These are actually safer than the common dilapidated cans most people use because they were imported totally unused. They will not mention the stove and can you see in this picture. At least, I believe most won’t even though this picture was given to them ganina.”

Rama denied any knowledge of the photos and of the merchandize.

“Wala jud ko makahibawo ana because number one, dili sad jud ko gusto nga ang ngalan nako akong ibaligya para mobuto,” he told reporters.

He believes that the photos came from his opponents

“Nganong maabot man na dira ang Rama butane nga wala man ko mointra ana? Kabalo gud ko from the beginning… kahibawo ko nga kun dili nimo isulod ang LPG sa ensakto nga cylinder, molupad kana. And, therefore, why should I be into that?” Rama said.

Rama used to work for the Cebu Oxygen and Acetylene Company, Inc. before he entered public service.

“Gibutangan guro na nila (opponents) pero wala jud ko makabalo ana,” he said, adding, “basin ako na pud nang mga kontra kay puros naman lang na sila padung (og igo) nako…  ila nang counter action kay nanggawas naman na ilang mga butane canisters. Dili man ang Rama maoy nakit-an pirmero, ang ila man so basin naa na silay tinonto.”

Earlier, Rama ordered a ban on refilling stations of butane canisters in the city, stressing the possible dangers they might bring to consumers.

This move, Osmeña claimed, is politically-motivated, as Rama has been hampering his support for programs such as the Farmer’s Market at the South Road Properties. Osmeña has been helping industry players of butane refilling stations.

“I have all kinds of ideas and possibilities except that I do not know the source (of the photo) but I believe he tried to imitate what I do just like the Farmers Market and as usual, he failed,” Osmeña said in a text message.

He said he saw the picture for the first time about six months ago.

Rama, for his part, believes accusations against him would simply boomerang in the end.

“Kay kana gong gihinganlan nga ang magsige’g akusar nako, ang ending para nako, mopadung na ang ilang kamot nila. Dili magsige og tudlo,” he said./JMO (FREEMAN)