FILE a complaint or shut up.
This was the challenge of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama to Mayor Tomas Osmeña since the latter has continued to accuse him of being a drug protector.
“To my opponent who’s been accusing me, if you can’t put up, shut up kay mag-sige ka og accuse nako (if you continue to accuse me), then I might as well have to sue you,” he said.
The former mayor was among the 159 local officials, judges and police whom President Rodrigo Duterte named as drug protectors during a speech last Aug. 7 in Camp Panacan, Davao City.
In a phone interview with reporters yesterday, Rama also lamented the news that Team Rama-allied village chiefs in the coastal area are being tagged as narco-politicians.
Osmeña earlier named six Team Rama coastal villages whose officials are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade for failing to stop the proliferation of drugs in their area.
A complaint was filed last week before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against four Team Rama village chiefs for allegedly being drug protectors.
Its respondents are Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta, Duljo Fatima Barangay Captain Elmer Abella, Pasil Barangay Captain Julius Guioguio and Inayawan Barangay Captain Lotlot Ignacio-Soon.
Over the years, Rama said he has filed several libel cases against Osmeña and the latter’s continued allegations against him and his partymates might prompt him to file another one.
“I want this to be over with now. I thought that the issue of being an addict, among others, is over. It has now extended towards my barangay captains in the coastal area. Why is this still going on?” he said.
As to clearing his name, Rama said he might ask the Supreme Court (SC) to intervene since he was accused of being a drug protector without due process.
As a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Rama, a lawyer, said he finds it necessary for the SC to investigate how he was accused of being a drug protector.
“Possibly from their end, they will be able to put a closure (on the issue). Assuming that I’m a drug protector, show me an evidence. I want that over and done with, especially if it’s not really possible for me to have an audience with the President. The people who put my name there in the list were cowards because they can’t even come out in the open,” he said.
“I’ve been very firm with advocating for those who are in the same situation as I am. We’ve been condemned without being burned. There seems to be no action coming so I am taking the lead in the advocacy in the entire country,” he added.
Rama disclosed he has asked former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an acquaintance he did not name to help him schedule a meeting with Duterte but he has yet to receive any confirmation.
Sought for comment about Rama’s pronouncements, Osmeña said he doesn’t want to waste his time on him.
The mayor said Duterte has an intelligence network to support his pronouncement naming Rama as a drug protector.
“If there is smoke...come on, Rama. Finish the sentence. Let the President answer that. Not me,” he said.