Rama: It was not my idea

CEBU, Philippines — Dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama expressed disinterest in the nomination of his son, lawyer Mikel Rama, for a council seat disclosing that the idea didn t come from him.

In a press conference yesterday, Oct. 31, 2024, Rama admitted that he was not ready to be confronted on Mikel s nomination, adding that he would want his son to run and win the position.

 Dili kay sud lang sya dira because of my name, because I ran and won, you know what I mean? I want my son and win, said Rama.

 I am not interested and it never even came from me, he added.

According to Rama, they want to always rise according to their merits and do not step once an opportunity comes knocking.

 We work hard on our way, and he made himself a lawyer, and I salute him, said Rama.

The city council officially nominated and recommended Mikel to fill the vacancy of the Sangguniang Panglungsod left by Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros when he officially assumed the post in a permanent capacity.

The said resolution raised by Councilor Philip Zafra was approved by the body during the regular session last October 22, 2024. This came after Zafra delivered a privilege speech laying down the need to fill in the vacancy when Hontiveros ascended as Vice Mayor after he received the memorandum from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last May 17, 2024.

Hontiveros was ordered to do so upon the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss and perpetually disqualify Rama from government services, and when then vice mayor Raymond Garcia had to officially take oath as mayor.

For his part, Mikel refused to comment further and just said that they will just cross the bridge when they get there.

Mikel s nomination was unanimously approved by the legislative body.

In a separate interview, Minority Floor Leader, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., said that despite being in the opposing party, he did not object to Mikel s nomination saying that he agreed and believed in Mikel s competence.

 If sila, the council, the majority floor leader is fine with it, then its fine with me, unsa man say rason nga atong pugngan? Do we have another alternative? We don t have, said Archival.

He added that since Mikel is a lawyer, he will be useful in the council adding that his father, Rama, can guide him.

Mikel alongside his father, Rama, filed their Certificate of Candidacy for the 2024 midterm election for Cebu City Councilor and Mayor, respectively, last October 3, 2024, under the banner of the coalition Partido BARUG- Team Rama and BagOng Sugbo. — /ATO (FREEMAN)