PARTYMATES of Michael Rama in Partido Barug couldn’t be more relieved upon knowing their vice mayoral candidate is no longer in the narcolist read out by President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 14, in Davao City.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the standard bearer of Partido Barug, said that justice may have been delayed but it still has been served.
“We are happy that the truth has come out albeit late. All the while even at the very outset, we believed in his innocence that he was never, never, never involved in any drug-related activities,” Labella said.
Labella said that even back in 1998 when he and Rama first became party mates, he never doubted Rama’s character. Besides, Rama picked him as running mate in 2010 and 2013.
Other party mates in Partido Barug have this to say:
Councilor Raymond Garcia: “I saw it coming. The fact that the President endorsed Mike Rama in the PDP rally was a prelude to his non-inclusion in the narcolist. It just shows that the President was misinformed and got his wrong information from agencies that were still at that time influenced by the Liberal Party. Now it can be told: Mike Rama is not a narco politician. This will be a boost to his candidacy. Congrats, Vice Mayor Mike Rama.”
Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the Police Advisory Council: “Justice delayed, justice served. We are very sure he is not among those who were accused of being a drug protector. There was just remnant of Liberal (party) in the PNP. Even during the Liberal time, they were pursuing that angle.”
Councilor Renato Osmeña Jr.: “I am so glad that the new verified narcolist came out last night and our team is so ecstatic about it obviously because our vice mayoralty bet Mike Rama is no longer on that list. It’s a vindication for him and for our team which has been unfairly vilified in the social media. That new list shuts a window for our political opponents to derogate us lest we hale them to court for cyber libel.”
Niña Mabatid, barangay captain of Mabolo: “I’m very particular with human behavior and the moment I laid my eyes on him I knew he was not a drug addict. And the more you will know him, the more you will get to realize that he can never be a drug protector. He lives a simple life. He is close to the church and his style of campaign is not money-motivated. He is a good man and he is the epitome of a politician.” (from PAC of Superbalita Cebu)