By Junex Doronio
CEBU CITY — In what could be the preview of the 2025 local elections, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Mike Rama openly clashed over the venue of the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Garcia and several mayors in the province preferred the event to be held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) while Rama stood firm that it should be at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Sinulog is an annual Catholic festivity ala-Mardigras in Cebu in honor of its patron saint Sto. Niño.
Local political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that there will be a three-cornered mayoralty race in this city involving Garcia, Rama, and former Customs Commissioner Yogi Ruiz.
Rama again contradicted Garcia on the traffic plans, saying he would not meddle.
Garcia earlier said she would not allow the closure of the Cebu South Bus Terminal for the Sinulog.
The governor explained that she does not want Cebu province constituents, especially those coming from the south of Cebu island province, to be affected.
Cebu province contingents, particularly the winners of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan last January 14, did not register to join the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday, January 21.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
CEBU CITY — Unable to conceal his disappointment with the Cebu City Council that thrashed his promised Christmas bonus of P35,000 for regular and casual employees and the gratuity pay of P10,000 for job order (JO) personnel, Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama has declared that he will “beg” before a special session to rectify the matter.
Speaking before City Hall employees after the flag ceremony on Monday morning, December 18, Rama — who just come back after his family’s vacation in Australia — could not help but express his extreme disappointment.
“Ready ko mopirma og mga dokumento. Ipadala nako sa konseho. Ikaduha, mangayo kog special session. I will appeal to them, crying, please council make City Hall employees happy. I am back, and I will fight for it,” Rama said.
While Rama was away, the Council approved during its regular session on Wednesday, December 13, the supposed Christmas bonus of only P20,000 for regular and casual employees and P5,000 for JOs.
City Councilor Noel Wenceslao, committee on budget and finance chairman, earlier explained that they were only following the National Government, which had announced that it would give employees in the executive branch a P20,000 bonus, and P5,000 gratuity pay.
Rama admitted that he was emotional and disheartened when he learned that the promise he had made to City Hall employees would not be fulfilled.
“How much was given to the job order (JO) employees? Only P5,000. That’s not what I wanted! This hurts me. I’m confused. Is there another City Hall? Is there another mayor? I’ve never had this experience because I’ve never dictated. I asked and checked how much bonus we could give,” Rama lamented.
He stressed that it is unfair for JOs to receive only P5,000, while regular and casual employees will receive P20,000.
(IA/MNM)