Bzzzzz: Mike fears for his life, says he wears bullet-proof vest

[] As you scroll down, other items: 'Defamatory' words that led to ex-Rama aide Abbey Canturias's conviction of cyber libel

[] Canturias not convicted for journalism work but for partisan activity

[] Mike Rama's non-stop mouth and "unfinished business"

Was he joking or not? Apparently not. Talking about the limbo he is in -- publicly shamed by the president as alleged drug protector and yet not charged anywhere, before prosecutors or the court -- former Cebu City mayor said he wears a bullet-proof vest.

Mike didn't say how often he wears the vest but he complains it's heavy. When told by Jason Monteclar of dyCM radio about a model that's much lighter, Mike said, almost child-like, "Ga-i ko bi (Give me)."

But who would have Mike killed? Not those waging the crime against illegal drugs; Mike is not a confirmed drug lord coddler. Politics? Not those who want him to run. His archrival Mayor Tomas Osmeña once said he prefers Mike to Vice Mayor Edgar Labella as his 2019 opponent. That would rule Tomas out and count Edgar in, ha ha.

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Death threats on Caindec

Victor Caindec, LTO chief and Mike Rama's former Citom chief (of three months or so, definitely less than a year), also complained of death threats through social media. Who would have him killed? Not the choir that sings ill of Victor on the internet. Or maybe "kill, kill, kill" is part of the song: verbal, not actual, violence.

But with mayors, vice mayors and even priests being gunned down here and there, maybe these potential victims are not taking chances. But would publicly whining about it help?

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Canturias: not as journalist

Aniceto "Abbey" Canturias, convicted of cyber libel filed by Mayor Tomas, might have engaged in journalism before but he was sued by Osmeña as aide and lackey of former mayor Mike.

Abbey was into many activities that included a PR outfit. He promoted Mike as well as, if not more, than the city. In February 2016, Councilor Sisenio Andales called out his Cebu Open Hip Hop Championship gig, which raised funds and invited UNA personalities. It wasn't known how Abbey explained it before a City Council executive session. He was head of the UNA media bureau. But it was his Facebook post about Tomas that led to his conviction.

The court meted him "an indeterminate sentence" of four years and two months to eight years in jail. He may be granted bail while he appeals the RTC decision.

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What was 'defamatory'

Tomas filed the complaint after Abbey posted in 2015 on his FB wall about driving a Dodge car that hit a 35-year-old woman "S-S-P-L-U-C-C-K-KKK!" (is that how a vehicle ramming a body would sound?). Plus these, according to a Freeman report: "breakneck speed" and "penchant for fast cars." Never mind "ex-future mayor": at the time Tomas had filed his certificate his candidacy for the 2016 election after his loss to Mike Rama in 2013. Abbey did not mention Tomas by name but put up the then ex-mayor's photo. Tomas was identified.

But was it defamatory? What difference would it have made if Abby was then a news reporter writing about a road accident? The defamatory words might not have passed a careful news editor.

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Mike's 'things to finish'

Former mayor Mike Rama said Thursday morning, July 19, he would definitely run for mayor. No condition or equivocation, no "if" or "but."

He hasn't changed his mind since the last time he announced he'd run. "Don't fix when it's not broke," plus other cliches that came to his mind.

The main reason, Mike told Jason: "I have things to finish." Unfinished business, which must include proving that he won in 2016 and exacting revenge against his perceived tormentor, Tomas.

The problem with motive is that it can cloud assessment of one's chances to win.

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His non-stop mouth

Mike Rama admitted that he has a non-stop mouth: "Kahibawo ka" (addressing Jason M.) "akong baba di mohunong... hangtod matulog... bisan pa gani'g matu'g, tabi lang gihapon."

Not stopping is only a part of the affliction; it's also failing to get to the point briefly and quickly. But then what would he talk about if he would not stretch things?

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