Mayor Rama claims support from LPP president

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama claimed to have found an ally with the president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines in his fight against the alleged meddling of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the affairs of the city.

Rama reported his problem with Garcia’s alleged meddling to LPP president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo during the latter’s visit at the City Hall yesterday.

According to Rama, Tamayo agrees with his position that Garcia should not be meddling in the affairs of a highly urbanized city like Cebu. In fact, Tamayo allegedly told him that in South Cotabato he does not intervene in the affairs of General Santos City, a highly urbanized city, unless his help is sought.

Tamayo, who also served as mayor before becoming governor, allegedly told Rama that he knows how it feels and that Garcia should not have meddled in the issues and affairs involving the city government.

Among the issues involving the city that the Capitol has intervened include the power struggle at MCWD, Cebu Port Authority, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Garcia, however, emphasized that she is speaking up on some issues involving the city to protect the interest of the province and its constituents.

Meanwhile, Rama disclosed a possible coalition between his local political party—Partido Barug—and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Rama said Tamayo, who is also president of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, told him that the oathtaking of former Customs Commissioner Yogi Felimon Ruiz was not recognized by the party leadership.

Earlier, Ruiz took his oath as member of the president’s party and was designated as its regional chairman in Central Visayas. Ruiz has declared his intention to challenge Rama in the mayoralty race next year. — (FREEMAN)