By Jujemay G. Awit
Saturday, May 4, 2013
A PIECE of paper required barangay officials to wear Team Rama t-shirts when they collect the first quarter financial assistance from the Cebu City Government.
Apart from wearing the shirt, village officials were also required to bring their barangay identification card and 2013 community tax certificates (cedula) when they claim the aid at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
City Hall gives barangay captains P5,000 a month each and councilors P3,000 each every month. Since the allowance is given every quarter, village chiefs get P15,000 each while councilors go home with P9,000.
Most of the barangay officials wore the green and yellow Team Rama shirts but Mayor Michael Rama denied imposing the requirement.
Unsigned
The mayor pointed out that the paper that supposedly instructed the barangay officials was not signed and is, therefore, not an official document.
He said he knew that not all barangay officials support him so he would not impose the condition.
“That's unfair to the officials. I'm not even wearing a Team Rama shirt,” said Rama, who was in a pink-and-white striped polo.
Other Team Rama candidates who were present at the cash aid distribution, however, were wearing their campaign shirts. Congressional candidate for the south district, lawyer Aristotle Batuhan, was also present.
Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City south district), who is challenging Rama in the election, criticized the t-shirt requirement.
Throw
But he said barangay allies need not worry about being made to wear Team Rama shirts now as they can throw these away after May 13 when he defeats Rama.
Rama was asked why the village officials’ allowances were released only yesterday, 10 days before the election, when it represent incentives for January to March.
Rama said he had to attend to other obligations.
He also said that all obligations of the City Government will be paid before the elections. These include those for persons with disabilities.
The senior citizens received P4,000 out of their annual P10,000-allowance last March.
(I've posted a comment here before like this one, when an issue about michael rama forcing the habal2x drivers of barangay lahug to wear team rama shirts. Now, a new issue was made pointing to our current mayor again. HOW PERSISTENT!)....... You Have The right to vote on this coming election voters. Choose the correct person wisely! God bless. Freedom of speak exrcised!!!!