Sun.Star Cebu

All about politics?

- ESPINOZA atty.elliee@gmail.com

What probably pissed Mayor Rama off, according to Daluz, was when his board rejected the proposal of a private entity to privatize MCWD, but that was just the icing on the cake

The rift between Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and MCWD chairman Joey Daluz is expected. Some of my friends in the know told me that the ongoing issue between Mayor Rama and Daluz is all about politics, even if the MCWD chairman denied this during an interview with Atty. Cheking Seares.

And there are many other causes that I gathered from sources in the know that for legal reasons I could not spell out here.

A year after the last general elections, the camp of Mayor Rama smelled the scent of the ambition of his political allies that supported him in the last May polls to seek the mayoralty post in the midterm elections in May 2025. For true-blue politician­s, this is the right time to start feeling the pulse of the electorate and, most importantl­y, raise funds.

What probably pissed Mayor Rama off, according to Daluz, was when his board rejected the proposal of a private entity to privatize MCWD, but that was just the icing on the cake.

When Attorney Seares asked him if he preferred to be a kingmaker or a king, Daluz answered in this manner: “We are not bankrupt of good young leaders. And I am a party man, and I believe that a strong party leadership will deliver good public service for Cebu City. So, the proposal as mentioned is not only for me but for the party and the welfare of the people of Cebu City. Kingmaker or king, I am just a humble part of a noble cause to serve the City of Cebu and our people in whatever capacity.”

On the follow-up question of Attorney Seares, Daluz responded: “The mayor is part of a broad coalition of political parties or groups. As a coalition partner, Panaghiusa proposes to give the young leaders a chance to be a part in the democratic selection of its candidates for the next elections. And considerin­g the vast experience of the mayor, Panaghiusa is endorsing him for congressma­n or senator in the next elections.”

If it were in a courtroom trial, I would readily manifest to the court, “I rest my case, Your Honor.” With these statements from Daluz, Mayor Mike should rethink now his political goals.

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That a minor, 15 years old, shot an ex-PBA player for refusing to give him P20 is simply chilling. What is happening chief? MJ said he bought the pistol he used for P5,000. He admitted that he smoked one marijuana joint before the incident. Eliud Poligrates was lucky he was able to duck when MJ shot him. The bullet only grazed his shoulder. The shooting happened in Sitio Mecabaja, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

The issue here is not what caused this minor to shoot and injure Poligrates, but how he was able to possess a handgun that he paid P5,000 for and who gave him the marijuana joint that he smoked before committing the crime. This is a social and mental issue that parents and our government should be concerned about.

The case of this young boy immediatel­y reminds me of the current turmoil in the United States where minor offenders have shot and killed students and teachers because they have easy access to firearms, even high-powered guns. The case of MJ here in Cebu may not be remote in other parts of the country. Police should not limit their case against MJ and his friend Edgardo Generale, but they should also go after the seller of the pistol.

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