CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — A neophyte councilor schooled Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña of the City Council’s internal rules during a heated exchange last Tuesday, after a point of order over council proceedings sparked a tense debate on decorum, procedure and conflict of interest.
The confrontation took place during deliberations on the accreditation of Asian College of Technology International Education Foundation (ACTIEF) Pit-os Campus.
Councilor Mikel Rama raised a point of order, prompting a sharp response from Osmeña and leading the young legislator to cite the council’s internal rules governing debates and the role of the presiding officer.
“It’s not to say that the chair has no right to speak,” Rama said. “But he must do so, not from the chair, but from the floor, so we are all on equal footing when deliberations are made.”
Throughout the exchange, Rama remained measured in tone as he cited legal provisions and parliamentary procedure.
He argued that concerns over the accreditation involved not only deficiencies in the application but also possible conflict-of-interest issues, noting that ACTIEF is owned by the family of Councilor Jose Abellanosa.
“Conflict of interest refers in general to where it may be reasonably deduced that a member may not act in public interest due to some private, pecuniary or other personal consideration,” Rama said.
He also cited provisions of the Local Government Code and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibit local officials from directly or indirectly engaging in business transactions with the local government unit where they serve.
“When does this conflict of interest become a crime? The answer is in Section 3(i) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he added.
Osmeña, serving his first term as vice mayor after decades as mayor and congressman, objected to Rama’s interpretation of the chair’s neutrality.
“Don’t tell me I have to keep my mouth shut because I will not keep it shut,” Osmeña said. “We are only obligated to the people. Is the law supposed to serve the people, or are the people supposed to serve the law?”
He also challenged the notion that the vice mayor’s role was limited to presiding the council session.
“What you are really trying to say is that the role of the vice mayor is that of a clerk,” Osmeña said. “Do not deliberate because your position says you’re only there to preside? I challenge that.”
The exchange carried political undertones. Rama, elected in 2025, is the eldest son of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, a longtime ally turned political rival of Osmeña.
Osmeña stressed that his long years in public service entitled him to speak on matters before the council.
“I have restrained myself. I’ve allowed you to say your piece. Don’t say that I cannot say mine,” he said, adding that “I’ve had three decades of experience.”
He also defended himself against any insinuation of conflict of interest.
“I personally would like to make it very clear that I have not engaged in any kind of business in Cebu because I don’t like to provide competition to Cebuano businessmen,” Osmeña said.
Despite the sharp exchange, Rama reiterated that his concern centered on compliance with the council’s rules.
“The point that I was trying to make, Mr. Chair, is our adherence to our house rules,” he said. “It’s not saying that the chair cannot discuss, but he must do so from the floor.”
Councilor Pastor Alcover later read the council’s rules, confirming that the presiding officer may participate in debate only after yielding the chair to another member.
“It so happened that we have rules to follow,” Alcover said.
Osmeña later asked Councilor Philip Zafra to temporarily preside, allowing him to continue his remarks from the floor.
“The lawyer has spoken, so have I,” Osmeña said, ending the exchange.
| Written by Caecent Noot Magsumbol/FPL
