THE die is cast. The phrase is used in many languages to indicate that events have passed their point of no return. This was used by Julius Caesar (49 BC) as he led his army across the Rubicon river in Northern Italy. With this step, they entered Italy at the head of his army in defiance of the Senate and began his long civil war against Pompey and the Optimates. In the metaphoric phrase, “die” refers to a number of cube used in gaming (singular of dice) and cast means “thrown.” This has the same meaning of another phrase, “I crossed the Rubicon.”
“The die is cast and I crossed the Rubicon.” These were the words of Vice Mayor Michael Rama contained in his one page irrevocable resignation submitted to Mayor Edgardo Labella in his capacity as the chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI). His resignation was read by lawyer Aven Piramide during a press conference he called in his office yesterday morning.
Here’s the press release on the resignation letter of Rama in toto:
“Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Lopez Rama has decided to tender formally his irrevocable resignation as chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., (SFI), the private entity that has been running the Sinulog Festivities for more than 30 years. The Vice Mayor will submit his resignation today or at the earliest opportunities he will have. Rama, however, will remain as member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. He revealed his plan to resign as Chairman of the Foundation in the light of the present circumstances. He believes that the Cebu City Sinulog Governing Board, created by an executive order issued by Mayor Edgardo Labella, should have a free hand in handling all the festivities during the Sinulog.
“Rama learned that the Governing Board created by Mayor Labella has started preparations for the Sinulog by outlining activities that tend to differ with those that have been planned by the Sinulog Foundation Inc. He cited the report contained in The Freeman issued on Oct. 29, 2019 that “the activities presented by the Cebu City Sinulog Governing Board (CCSGB) are those the SFI are reportedly agreed with.” It is not true, Rama claimed, that the SFI agreed with the activities presented by the CCSGB. He is not aware of any meeting where both groups agreed on the activities to be carried out during the Sinulog.
“In the words of Vice Mayor Rama, he crossed the Rubicon. To him, the die is cast.”
Well, if this is the final decision of Mike, we will respect him. It is his prerogative. If he thinks that the governing board has “overpowered” the functions of the foundation and if it further thinks that he cannot freely function as chairman of the foundation because of the intervention of the board, then by all means he can get out anytime. He is not a perpetual franchise holder of the SFI. If he thinks otherwise because he has been there for the past decades, he is wrong. There are a lot of talented people who can run the affairs of the SFI, who do not want credit unlike Mike. Irrevocable man kaha? Bantay baya ug mo-reconsider.
The problem with Mike is that he still feels and thinks that he is the “superstar.” He always wanted to be in the limelight and grab all the credit in whatever way he achieves them. He has the “superstar complex.” He is the type of person who always wants wide recognition. He keeps on talking even about nonsense matters. Sobrang bilib sa iyang kaugalingon.
I was informed that there was a “minutes” on that particular meeting between the CCSGB and SFI members, and yet Rama denied that he was informed about that meeting. Let us see who is lying or who is not.
My sources said Mike got upset because the personalities that will be involved in the forthcoming Sinulog festivities are from Manila and the local talents are on the backseat. And Mike does not want that somebody will dictate to him on what to do. Aw, resign gud. Ngano man diay, siya ray makamao?
The reason why Labella created the governing body is to have check and balance. There were reports that huge amounts of Sinulog funds were unaccounted for during the previous Sinulog. Labella wanted some of the system in handling the funds corrected.
Remember there was an unsolved robbery that happened at the Sinulog office where millions of pesos were reportedly carted away by the “robbers.” Besides, the function of the board has been outlined in the executive order and it does not run counter or in conflict with the foundation.
Is this the start of the conflict between him and Labella in preparation for their political battle in the 2022 elections?
Expect more fanfare between the two in the future. Pagkasayo ba nila namulitika.