Rama looks at brighter side over loss of CCMC aid from Osmeñas

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama does not regret losing the aid of Representative Tomas Osmeña and his brother Senator Serge Osmeña to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) saying that the people will still benefit from it.

He said it doesn’t matter if CCMC will lose some of its income because on the brighter side, it will also be decongested.

Rama said he does not believe that there is no politics beyond the alleged special arrangement on the proposed P2 million aid of Senator Osmeña.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña was put in-charge of the supposed assistance from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of the senator. As in-charge of the fund, Margot will recommend the beneficiaries to be admitted for the program.

“Manghatag gani ta, kinahanglan wala’y ikog. Nganung di man ihatag sa departamento (CCMC) nga kwarta man na sa gobryerno?” Rama said.

He said the program will be susceptible to politics since the beneficiaries will have to be selected.

“Makaingon ba sila na wala na’y pamolitika? Pananglitan muadto ang tawo, nya kontra siya, do you think tagaan siya?” Rama said.

Last week, Rep. Osmeña announced that he will no longer allow his PDAF to be used at CCMC. Rep. Osmeña’s medical program gives up to P25,000 hospitalization aid to South District constituents.

He said he will order the constituents coming to him for medical aid to go to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. He said those who insist on going to CCMC will have to pay for their own bill or ask the Mayor to pay for it.

Rep. Osmeña announced this after the mayor rejected the Memorandum of Agreement supposedly for his brother’s P2-million offer. The mayor returned the MOA to the council to amend the provision where councilor Margot Osmeña is being authorized as in-charge in the selection of beneficiaries.

But the MOA was not amended because the office of Senator Osmeña backed out and said will transfer the aid to VSMMC instead. (FREEMAN)