Published by Bohol Sunday PostAvid fans of the highly-rated Mayor’s Report over Station DYRD were frustrated not to hear a volley of “shotgun blasts†when City Mayor Dan Neri Lim appeared during his weekly radio program yesterday.
Even the supposed beneficiary of the mayor’s attack, Councilor Zenaido Rama, was prepared to absorb whatever was thrown in his direction including may be the kitchen sink. But nothing of that sort came Rama’s way.
Knowing the volatility of the issue, the public was expecting a double doze of fire and brimstone if past experiences with the city mayor in a one-on-one confrontation was any gauge. Mayor Lim is known to call a spade a spade when critics bombarded him with unsavory remarks especially concerning his pet projects.
But it was a different Mayor Lim that greeted the radio audience during yesterday’s Mayor’s Report. Cool and calculating in his repartees, he did make some retaliations to Rama’s assault but it was within the parameters of proper decorum and decent language.
As soon as Rama unleased before the Sangguniang Panlungsod session Friday his tirades against the mayor's Rehabilitate, Operate Transfer scheme of the Agora, not a few city hall watchers were expecting fireworks explosions when the mayor’s turn to answer the charges took place.
But no verbal calisthenics came into play. If it was an artillery duel in a real combat, the best description befitting the somber occasion was that of a hitman having a target practice.
Although there was sporadic burst of verbal gunfire coming from the mayor’s direction ,it was not the kind of retaliation that the public expected.
The loyal radio following was expecting nothing than a mayor acting like a two-fisted gunslinger shooting everybody in sight.
City hall watchers interpreted the mayor’s calculated response to Rama’s barbs as a better part of discretion. Some suspected that the city executive chose not to add fuel to the fire or he was jus6t being careful not to dignify the perorations of a former ally.
Lim and Rama used to be the closest of friends until a wedge was driven between them making their relations looking as if it is beyond conciliation.
RAMA’S BEEFRama’s beef was the alleged talk of the town in the manner of implementing the ROT of the Agora.
Short of branding the transaction a “sweetheart deal’, the maverick councilor echoed some questions being raised by so-called concerned city residents.
He said questions “which I cannot answer being a neophyte member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Zeroing in on the meat of his concern, Rama sought clarification on the agreed rental of P5 million per year. He said translating the rental of P5 million, it would appear that the prime property located in the heart of the city is only valued at P41/sq.m. per month.
The opposition alderman said this amount was too low considering that there are even vacant lots far from CPG Avenue, (the city’s main thoroughfare) which are currently renting at P100/sq.m. per month already.
In one of his sporadic blasts to Rama’s barbs, the city mayor said the city councilor got his figure all wrong.
He said it was not entirely correct that the city will get P5 million from the Agora developer per annum.
The mayor said it was stipulated in the ROT contract that in the event that the contractor generates more than P5 million every year or whichever is higher, the city is still entitled to the amount more than agreed yearly rental.
Mayor Lim added that the income from the Agora is on top of other revenues the city will get like business taxes, business permits, sales tax and many others.
Against the backdrop of a sober exchange of two former friends, Rama appeared consoled with the thought that his concern was tackled by the SP. Considering apparently the urgency if his questions about the Agora deal, a public hearing was scheduled tomorrow morning to be conducted by the committee on economic enterprises and committee on appropriations.
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