Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday said the continuing attacks against the Botika sa Katawhan and Deputy Mayor Mariano Uy is sending wrong signals against concerned individuals from the private sector. Lim was reacting to the moves to put the Botika and Uy in a bad light even as there has been no proof of a formal complaint against them.

Earlier, Councilor Zenaido Rama delivered a privilege speech seeking to subject the Botika to an investigation particularly in the manner funds are being raised for it. When Rama's resolution was subjected to a vote however, only Councilor Edgar Kapirig, who is facing a case filed by Uy, voted with Rama. Crossing party lines, 10 councilors from both sides of the political fence voted to shot down Rama's proposed resolution from being referred to the committees. “This incident sends a dangerous and negative message to our people who are entertaining thoughts to serve the city in their private capacity,” Lim said.

The mayor noted that instead of being given support, the Botika and Uy are being persecuted by very public servants who receive their salaries from the people's taxes. “This is sad because for a long time, we have been urging people in the private sector to contribute to the government,” he pointed out. Lim said that in response to this call, Uy volunteered to serve by being the executive director of the Botika which is his brainchild. “Moreover, he volunteered to solicit and raise funds for the medicines himself,” he added.         

The mayor said the city may never see a person like Uy who volunteered to be the one who will raise funds, oversee the operations but refusing to accept a salary for it. Lim said that in other places, Uy would be besieged by awards for this rare act of public service. “But here in Tagbilaran, he has not only been deprived of such accolades, he is persecuted, falsely accused, subjected to embarrassment and directly alleged to have dipped his hands into the donations that he has received,” the mayor lamented.

Lim added that what makes it more painful is that those who have not hesitated to make the accusations are those who have bigger responsibilities to the city like Rama and Kapirig. At the same time, the mayor revealed that while they have been repudiated at the city council, the enemies of the Botika has succeeded in another strategy. He disclosed that a complaint was received by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) against the Botika regarding documents that it failed to submit. The mayor said that instead of waiting for the BFAD to issue a closure order, he has extended the suspension of operation until the requirements are completed. “Contrary to their claims that they should not be blamed for the closure of the Botika, they are actually making sure it will not resume operations,” Lim retorted.

The mayor said that the opponents of the Botika and Uy have shown that they will not hesitate to oppose and stop even a laudable project like the Botika if it goes against their own interests. “It is now up to the people of Tagbilaran to determine their response,” Lim said.