Despite SPAT with CAPITOL: “One Cebu Island” remains - Rama Iris Hazel Mascardo

CEBU, Philippines — Amidst recent tension with the Cebu Provincial Government, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama stressed that the “One Cebu Island” remains, emphasizing that the people are not part of the “conflict”.

This was discussed during the Ingna’ng Mayor, an online program of the Cebu City government, where preparations for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet was tackled. Rama aired his doubts if Cebu Province will be able to help Cebu City in hosting the said sports event which is set to start this week.

“Di gyud na mawala (One Cebu island) kay dili man mi tag-iya ang katawhan may tag-iya sa One Cebu Island,” said Rama, referring to the actual Province of Cebu.

Garcia's political party, One Cebu, includes majority of the leaders of the towns and cities in the Province.

According to the mayor, the One Cebu island remains intact despite the disputes between him and the leadership of Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia whom he filed complaints with before the Office of The President.

Last March 22, 2024, Rama filed an administrative case against Garcia before the Office of the President for allegedly usurping judicial and/or quasi-judicial powers over a national project for the Cebuanos, the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT).

This came after Garcia issued a cease-and-desist order to the project's contractor last February 27, 2024.

Rama's complaint against Garcia was for “abuse of authority, oppression and grave misconduct, violation of the Code and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”

“Kami raman na, we don’t own the whole Cebu, we don’t own One Cebu Island, we are only a pigment, we are only a dot of the enormity of the constituency that carries and attached with it,” said Rama.

When asked if there is conflict between him and the governor, Rama said that if he will say “none” he is being “mentally dishonest”.

“There is,” the mayor simply said.

Rama, however, said that “politics” will pass.

Circling back to the preparations of CVIRAA, Rama said that he has asked organizers of the CVIRAA to ensure that the water needs of the participants are met.

The mayor also instructed organizers to ensure that billeting areas for the athletes are clean.

“Dili man na mahimo nga mag-host-host ka diha, unya ang eskwelahan (billeting areas) hugaw, tabangan na namo. Kung way tubig, tabangan na,” he said.

Further, he said he is set to meet with the organizers to discuss the final touches for the six-day sports event. —/ATO (FREEMAN)