According to Rama: Private groups withdrawing CCMC pledges over politics

CEBU, Philippines — Former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has revealed that several private entities had already withdrawn their pledges for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

This was disclosed by Rama during The Freeman’s “Know Your Candidate" election special as he tackled his priority projects if he is reelected as mayor, including the fast-tracking of the completion of the CCMC within two months.

He stressed that this would be possible through the help and pledges of the private sector, citing a People-Privately-Driven Governance program.

It can be recalled that during his administration, Rama initiated a donation drive to complete the edifice.

Upon his unexpected exit from office—when he was perpetually disqualified and dismissed from government service—the donation drive became a subject of heated discussion, while Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia called for the redirection of these donations to the city hall instead.

Rama, on the other hand, called on the private sector not to route their donations directly to city hall, as it may be labeled as an “attraction,” which he did not elaborate on further.

According to Rama, the partnership with the private sector can be made possible as long as it is free from corruption.

However, during the same discussion, Rama revealed that prior to his exit, the whole plan for the CCMC had already been conceptualized down to the specific details of its centers. He added that even the “money is already there.”

“It’s just too much political jealousy but anyway I am taking that as a challenge,” said Rama.

Rama also disclosed that before his departure, numerous private sector groups had pledged support for the completion of the CCMC, including SM Corporation, which committed P100 million.

He also mentioned Andrew Tan of Megaworld, who pledged support for one side of the facility, as well as Manny V. Pangilinan, who pledged for the Wellness Centers.

However, Rama revealed that a “good friend,” whom he did not name, became “pissed off” and withdrew a P100 million donation. Another private entity also removed its P20 million pledge, and a foundation similarly withdrew its P100 million donation.

“Kept not inside my pocket. That’s the problem with politics, politics is what I call toxic,” said Rama.

He added, however, that these pledges are still intact and just waiting for the “right time.”

The City Council, which is currently looking into the delays and issues hounding the CCMC, also called for a tripartite agreement for the donation drive intended for the construction of CCMC’s eighth, ninth, and tenth floors.

It was clarified that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be enacted between the CMS, Dakay Construction and Development Corp. (DCDC), and the Cebu City government. The same MOA is also expected to establish the proposed terms and conditions of the involved parties, distinguishing their roles and responsibilities.

The Cebu City Legal Office previously raised legal concerns regarding this agreement, prompting Garcia to call for the rerouting of donations to city hall, albeit to no avail.

On this matter, Rama pointed to a lack of judgment.

“Poor guy (Garcia). I look at it as poor in his thinking. I am sorry to tell you that,” said Rama.

According to Rama, he has completed several projects without directly bringing money to City Hall. He cited the beautification of the caucus room, the chandelier in the Social Hall, the chair of the Session Hall, donated tables, a donated clock, the chandelier in offices, among others—all of which, he added, were made possible through the private sector.

“The private sector is involved, what’s the fuss? For as long as you don’t make money in your pocket,” said Rama.

Moving forward, Rama said there are supposed to be upcoming projects with the private sector, such as the 350-seat viewing area on the Executive Building’s ninth floor and a scenic elevator, both of which he vowed to continue working on.

During the first executive session held on Aug. 15, 2024, which aimed to shed light on the donations and the delay in CCMC’s construction, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos—the proponent—emphasized the importance of having a tripartite agreement.

According to her, City Ordinance No. 2439 outlines the city government’s donation drive guidelines, highlighting the need for supervision by the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the approval of the city mayor—hence the necessity of a tripartite agreement.

During the seventh executive session on the matter, Dr. Peter Mancao, CCMC head and former president of the CMS, told the council that the donated funds currently stand at P205 million and are held in a bank under the name CMS.

He added that this is a separate account specifically for the donation drive. Mancao, however, refused to disclose the identities of the donors due to a non-disclosure clause.

Mancao then clarified that, as of that discussion, no funds from the donations had been disbursed yet.

In the absence of these donations, Garcia previously included funding for the CCMC’s eighth, ninth, and tenth floors in Supplemental Budget 1, which has already been approved. —/ATO (FREEMAN)