Did Rama lie on record?

DID Councilor Vincent Rama lie when he insisted that his committee invited Lea Capuyan-Villar, vice president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC), during their meetings on the senior citizens birthday gift? This question was prompted by an argument over the matter between Rama and ABC President Mariano Y. Corro.

During the latest meeting of the 13^th Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) committee on senior citizens on Mar. 28, Corro asked why former councilor Villar wasn’t invited being the author of Ordinance No. 184 granting P1,500 birthday gift to senior citizens in 2013.

Opposition councilors running for reelection are using as a political issue the requirements in claiming the birthday gift. The city government is of the position that the requirements are meant to safeguard the funds by ensuring that only bona fide Ormocanons receive the benefit.

“We should have invited (Villar) so that she would be the one who will explain why she incorporated this particular provision (requirements) in the ordinance. She is the most logical person who can explain. But unfortunately, she has not been invited,” Corro said.

Corro’s insistence on Villar’s presence piqued committee chairman Rama that he snapped back: “Magsige pa gyud ka’g hisgot anang pangalan anang babaye nga ga-sponsor ani. Kaduha, katulo, kaupat na namo siya tawga niadtong gipanday ta ani, wa man gyud siya pakita!”

But Corro belied Rama’s claim by saying: Akong gipangutana si Villar, tinuod ba nga giimbitar ka? Ingon siya ‘wa ko imbitaha.’ Karon, kung kapakita kamo og naa bay written notice nga nadawat ni Villar unya wala siya mubutho…”

He added: “Dili mahimo nga dili mahisgutan si Villar. Ngano man? Iya tong ordinansa nga maoy atong gitratar dinhi. Magpakahilom lang diay ta?” This author tried to confirm Rama’s statement but his secretary denied sending an invitation letter to Villar.

Corro also said that it should be the councilors, not private citizens who should initiate the move. “This does not speak quite well for us members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod who were not able to initiate, to propose amendments to this ordinance,” he said.

Corro further lamented that the issue has been politicized with the involvement of lawyers Jasper Lucero and Nolito Quilang, both of whom are running for councilors. “It is sad to note that it took a politician to cause the proposal to amend certain portions of Ordinance 184,” he said.

“(It is) very unfortunate that these two gentlemen are candidates in this coming election. And I do not know if the two gentlemen would have taken the initiative in causing the amendment of this ordinance if they were not candidates. That’s why Mr. Chair, it would seem that this move to amend Ordinance 184 becomes politicized,” he went on.