Rama: No politics in cars for police

CEBU, Philippines – Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday he finds nothing wrong in distributing service cars to personnel of the Cebu City Police Office and assured no politics was involved in the distribution.

Rama gave CCPO four Toyota Fortuner units worth P1.5 million each and six Mitsubishi Adventure units worth P1.025 million each to the Cebu City Police Office last Wednesday, April 27.

Yesterday, he told reporters the vehicles will be presented officially on Monday to highlight transparency and accountability.

"There is no politics involved. Dagko nana sila uy… it goes without saying nga they know what to stand (for); kahibalo nana sila," he said.

He said the aim of the opposition is to make the distribution an issue - that is, if he would not distribute the vehicles, they would blame him still when the vehicles would no longer become functional.

"Many have criticized because of the timing of distribution? Only opponents will criticize, just give it to them. Kanang opponent, mu-criticize jud na pero kanang mga kauban mu- hallelujah gyud," he said.

Rama said the cars have just arrived and the arrival was reportedly timely, considering that there was a command conference of all station commanders that night.

He added that if he intended to keep the vehicles and distribute days before the election, it may just gather rust and will never be used.

Meanwhile, on reshuffling of CCPO personnel, Rama said he would just leave the matter to the Philippine National Police.

"Give us the bacon. And what is the bacon?  Gratifying, fulfilling and satisfying performance to serve and protect specially within this period until proclamation and then there after just continue because we need a city that is peaceful and orderly," he added. —/JMO (FREEMAN)