Rama insists on giving food to poll personnel

AGAINST the recommendation of the Cebu City Commission on Elections (Comelec) Mayor Michael Rama will provide food to those who will serve in the elections.

“There is no election without food. That’s a real concern,” Rama said in his regular press conference yesterday.

He said a food allowance will only encourage people serving in the elections to go home for lunch while saving the allowance.

Last October, Comelec Cebu City South District Election Officer Edwin Cadungog said an allowance of between P300 and P500 may be given to election inspectors, policemen and other government personnel serving in the May 13, 2013 elections.

This is to prevent the problem arising from the May 2010 elections, wherein Red Carpet Catering Services filed a case against the Cebu City Government for unpaid meal allowance worth P5.2 million.

Rama said this should not be considered a problem because those who need to be paid should be paid and if the problem is with processing then this should be corrected as well.

The Comelec has a fund of P9 million from the Cebu City Government under election reserve fund.

Meanwhile, also in politics, Rama said Team Rama candidate for councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem returned to the Chong Hua Hospital to complete his skin graft procedure after undergoing surgery last year.

He remains to be Team Rama’s candidate for councilor.

Rama also said he will not sever his friendly relationship with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who was suspended by the Office of the President, despite insinuations it will not be good for his candidacy especially in light of the recent ruling of the Ombudsman finding the governor and four others guilty of grave misconduct.

“Politics will pass, friendship will last,” said Rama.

But he did say he will stay away from the politics of the Province despite Rep. Tomas Osmeña’s (Cebu City, south district) pronouncement he will be campaigning against Garcia in the third district and for the Liberal Party’s candidate Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha.

Asked if this would be advantageous to his candidacy as Osmeña will take time off from campaigning in Cebu City, Rama confidently said, “I want to win because I can beat him. He can do what he wants, whatever makes him happy.”