Alcover: Rosell should take the fall

CEBU, Philippines — Suspended Cebu City administrator Collin Rosell should take the fall for what happened to Mayor Michael Rama, said Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr. on the six months preventive suspension that the Office of the Ombudsman has slapped the local chief executive and seven others.

Alcover, Rama’s political ally, said it was Rosell who played a huge role in the administration of Rama.

The councilor said he had warned Rama long before about Rosell because of the numerous complaints but the mayor did not listen. Even the councilors were complaining about Rosell’s alleged “power-tripping.”

According to Alcover, Rosell used to be fine and very respectful but he had changed soon after he was appointed city administrator.

“Pero pagkatudlo na niya isip city administrator, perting pagkausaba, karon pa lang gyud nibuto ani…kay sige nakong sultian si Mayor Mike pero di siya maminaw,” said Alcover.

“Akong giingnan nga mayor, kini si Collin perting daghanang reklamo,” he added.

Alcover said Rosell had created a cordon sanitaire preventing the people from getting near the mayor. He said that even the councilors could not go directly to the mayor without having to pass through Rosell.

He cited an instance where he personally submitted a recommendation to the mayor on the needed preparations for the El Niño.

“Problema kaayo kay sige kog follow up didto, nya inig follow up wala gihapoy resulta, kataw-an kataw-an ra ka, komedyahan raka murag  di seryoso,” said Alcover.

He complained to the mayor but nothing happened because Rosell was a trusted aide.

“Tan-awa karon asa naabot iyang pagsalig ni Collin apil na siyag kadamay,” said Alcover.

The councilor believes that some actions Rosell had taken were without Rama’s knowledge. And the non-payment of the salaries of the four regular employees at the City Assessor’s Office that led to their preventive suspension could be one of them.

Alcover cited another instance when Rama didn’t allegedly know how he signed the order relocating the Office of the Senior Citizens.

The order came from the administrator’s office but the mayor did not k now anything about.

“Ang amo gyung sentimento, nalahi na kay di nami ka direkta duol sa mayor, moagi pa mi diri sa City Administrator, ang city administrator pa ang pinaka istrikto,” said Alcover.

“Dako kaayo og matawag nato nga epekto ang pagkatudlo ni Collin sa administrasyon kay wala na tuno, si Collin wala motuno sa plano sa mayor, wala motuno sa plano sa konseho,” he added.

Alcover is hoping that under the administration of acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia the system will be changed.

Garcia formally assumed as acting mayor of the city effective yesterday while Rama is serving his six months preventive suspension.

The anti-graft office placed Rama and seven other officials under suspension while formal investigation will be conducted on the complaint filed by the four employees under the Assessor’s Office who were not paid of their salary for 10 months.

The four employees accused the mayor and the seven officials of  grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of public officer, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority (oppression), and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees. — (FREEMAN)