CEBU CITY – The four historic pulpit panels from the Patrocinio de Maria Parish in Boljoon, Cebu, are set to be returned to their rightful place in March, as announced by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Friday.

Garcia confirmed in a statement that the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) will be returning the 19th-century panels, which had been at the center of a legal dispute between the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Cebu provincial government, and the municipal government of Boljoon.

“This development comes after Governor Garcia’s recent announcement that charges would be filed against NMP Director General Jeremy Barns for refusing to return the panels despite repeated requests,” a statement from the Cebu Capitol revealed.

The panels, which were reportedly taken from the Boljoon parish in the late 1980s, were unexpectedly discovered at an NMP exhibition in February 2024.

Both Archbishop Jose Palma and Governor Garcia have consistently argued that the panels rightfully belong to the Archdiocese of Cebu and represent an important piece of Cebuano heritage. They maintain that the items were unlawfully acquired and could not have been validly donated to the NMP by private collectors Edwin and Eileen Bautista.

ia/mnm

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)