Rama to Remind Teachers of Election Duties, Sets Gathering

Mayor Michael Rama said there is nothing wrong for him if he will gather the public school principals and teachers in Cebu City to remind them of their duties and responsibilities during the forthcoming elections because he is the chairman of the City School Board.

But Rama’s main political opponent Cebu City South District Representative Tomas R. Osmeña and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young criticized the mayor for his actuation because he will be using government funds for his own interest.

It was Young who informed _MetroCebuNews _that Rama has scheduled a gathering of all public school principals and teachers that will be held at the Waterfront Hotel tomorrow (Friday).

“Why is Rama inviting all principals and teachers this Friday to Waterfront Hotel. Is this proper? Should the Department of Education allow this?” the vice mayor said in a text message.

DepEd city superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud said she does not know about the reported gathering of public school principal and teachers at the Waterfront Hotel.

Young said he believed that Angtud was not informed by the mayor about it, but at least three teachers informed him about the scheduled gathering. “Wala pahibaw-a si Angtud. Gipangkontak nila ang mga teachers pinaagi sa mga supervisors ug principal nga mga Rama.”

Rama admitted that there is a plan for him to meet with the principals and teachers of public schools in Cebu City, but according to him it is not illegal as what the vice mayor believed.

“Kalooy tawon niya. Nganong kwestyonon man niya kon makig-meet ko sa mga public school principals ug mga teachers? Maayo man og mangampanya ko nila aron ila ko’ng botohan,” Rama said.

The mayor said as chairman of the City School Board it is his duty to ensure that the teachers will be reminded of their respective functions.

But Young argued that it might not be practical for the mayor to meet with the teachers, most of them are members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) during the elections, particularly because the elections day is already near.

According to Young he has a video to prove that the mayor attended the distribution of the scholarship vouchers to the city scholars in six schools and Rama’s political jingle was played and the students were asked to dance to the tune.