Suspended Mayor Mike Rama stays with PDP

By: Pia Piquero – 2 hours ago

Suspended Mayor Michael Rama announces on Friday, June 7, that he will not resign from the PDP even though he will be the last remaining member of the party | Screenshot from Zoom meeting/ Pia Piquero

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will remain loyal to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), even if it means he will be the party’s last remaining member.

During a Zoom meeting following the online First Friday Mass on June 7, Rama announced that he has no intention of leaving the party despite a wave of resignations from other Cebu politicians within the party.

Rama also announced his intention to meet with former President Rodrigo Duterte, chairman of the PDP, to assure him of his commitment to stay in the party even if it means being one of its last remaining members.

“(Kahit tayo (Duterte)) nalang dalawa maiwan, be it,” he said.

Rama explained that his decision to stay was based on his “moral principles and conviction”, not only as a citizen but also as a head of state.

“I stand by what I believe in,” Rama affirmed.

Gwen resigns from PDP-Laban

Jonas Cortes also resigns from the PDP-Laban

Ahong Chan also resigns from PDP-Laban

The latest resignations began on May 28, when Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia announced that she had submitted her letter of resignation to PDP-Laban chairman Rep. Jose Alvarez of Palawan’s 2nd District.

In her letter, Garcia cited political differences and conflicts with current members of the PDP-Laban as the reason for her resignation, particularly a dispute with Mayor Michael Rama.

“In particular, the complaint filed against me with the Office of the President by Mayor Michael Rama, Vice President for the Visayas, has created an irreconcilable conflict,” Garcia said in her letter to Alvarez.

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Following Garcia’s resignation, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also left the party on May 29, expressing a desire to forge unity with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

On May 31, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Ahong Chan also resigned, citing the need to preserve unity with the Tri-Cities (Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu) and the province of Cebu as the reason for his “difficult” decision.