Friday, April 18, 2008
Rama camp says foe gave cash
MANILA – Like in any other election, allegations of irregularities were a topic among participants of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) convention, which kicked off yesterday.
And like the previous elections they have been through as public officials, both Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Antipolo City Vice Mayor Danilo Leyble are confident of their victory in today’s election.
Rama and Leyble, both lawyers, will face off in the race for the league presidency.
Huge posters bearing their photos and names have been put up in the different hotels where the 1,800 vice mayors are billeted, while some were posted in the vans used to ferry participants to the convention venue.
Envelopes
Wearing shirts that also bear Rama’s name and face, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the city councilors and their campaign staff mingled with vice mayors yesterday to solicit their support.
At the Manila Hotel, there were talks that Leyble’s camp has been handing out envelopes with cash to the vice mayors, which the Antipolo official denied.
Leyble said he has not been paying attention to reports that he is being endorsed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officials and the allegations that his camp gave out cash gifts.
Confident
“I have nothing to give, I am just a poor farmer’s son. For me, this will be a fair and friendly fight with Vice Mayor Rama, who is a good friend. I am confident in running because I know that many regionaland provincial chapters endorsed me, and that is what I am relying on, not the DILG,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
In a separate interview yesterday, Rama said he is also confident that the numbers are in his favor and that if DILG ensures a fair election, he would clinch the presidency this time around.
Rama is overwhelmed by the support of relatives and friends who helped in his campaign by lending vehicles and donating shirts and campaign materials.
“This is the only election when I feel that Luzon is with me and I am very grateful and overwhelmed because in previous elections, wala gyud. I savor each moment when I hear people say ‘Mike, we are for you.’,” Rama said. (LCR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 18, 2008 issue)
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