CEBU CITY (May 10, 2024, Updated) – Mayor Mike Rama vows to seek recourse before the Supreme Court (SC) on the validity of the Ombudsman’s decision to preventively suspend him for six months.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) regional director Leocadio T. Trovela served and posted the notices for suspension at City Hall close to 12 noon today.
Mayor Rama also promised to unleash a “fiesta of filing cases” against his persecutors, including the anti-graft office, for maliciously dragging his and his family’s name.
“A matter of this whole issue, ig-abot sa Supreme Court, naa’y requirement una ka ma-dismiss,” Rama said during Ingna’ng Mayor over RMN Sugboanon Channel this morning.
The mayor questioned the decision of the anti-graft office to suspend him and seven other City Hall officials for six months when they were not even given a chance to defend themselves.
“Damage has already been done. Unsa pama’y mabuhat nako ani? I have been judged already. Wala man gane ko kadawat sa akong kopya. I am already condemned,” Rama told Ingna’ng Mayor anchor Vilma Andales.
Though he refuses to speculate if the Ombudsman had malicious intent when it ordered his suspension, Rama said he should have been given the benefit of the doubt.
Damage has already been done. Unsa pama’y mabuhat nako ani? I have been judged already. Wala man gane ko kadawat sa akong kopya. I am already condemned.
Mayor Mike Rama
“If my presumption of regularity was observed, this suspension order, for all intents and purposes, would not have happened,” the mayor added.
Rama said he called it “pathetic and nauseating” that his political opponents have used every means to remove him from office.
But Rama assured that his legal challenges are just mere “hiccups.”
No grudge vs. complainants
Mayor Rama said he learned that even of those who sued him and seven other City Hall officials were disheartened that he got included in the suspension order.
According to media reports, complainants Sybil Ann Ybañez, Maria Almicar Diongzon, Chito Dela Cerna and Filomina Atuel said they did not include Rama in their complaint.
In response, Rama said he bears no grudge against the complainants as they were merely exercising their right to seek legal recourse.
He, however, questions the motive of the lawyers who represented the complainants.
“Klaro kaayo (nga malicious ang pag-file sa kaso), bisan ang mga complainant wala naghunahuna nga iapil ko,” he added.
The mayor likened himself to St. John the Baptist who was martyred for speaking truth against those who abuse their power.
“Sige nalang kay ila gyung gusto kay ang ulo ni Juan Bautista,” Rama quipped.
He also apologized to the other respondents of the complaint, particularly to acting City Assessor Maria Theresa Rosell and some of her staff.
“That is why I am sorry. Nangayo kog pasaylo (ni Tess) intawn kay nanga-igo sila sa ilang pagbuhat sa ilang sa ilang trabaho,” he added.
‘Fiesta of filing cases’
After asking the SC’s intervention, Rama also plans to go after those behind his suspension and those who had maligned him and his family.
Rama said he already instructed his son, lawyer Mikel Rama, and his legal team to prepare cases against his critics.
“To be honest, file man gane kog kaso ni Gwen Garcia nga nanghilabot. Kini na hinoon nga makita na ang injustice. It is not just ordinary, it is so manifested and leave an irreparable damage to my person, my supporters, and to the whole Rama family,” the mayor said.
Rama admitted that he is already fed up with the criticisms thrown against him and his family.
Aside from his critics, the mayor warns that even members of the media that had dragged his family’s name in the mud will not be spared from his legal blitz.
“Whatever media or what not, we will be keeping abreast in bringing what belongs to us, which is our right and the right of all who were maliciously put into embarrassment,” Rama added.
On May 2, the Ombudsman reportedly found sufficient grounds to put Rama and seven other City Hall officials under preventive suspension for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public officer and conduct prejudicial to the government service.
Aside from Rama and Rosell, also suspended from office are City administrator Collin Rosell and officials of the Office of the City Assessor namely assistant department head for administration Francis May Jacaban, assistant department head for operations Angelique Cabugao, administrative division head Jay-ar Pescante, assessment of records management division head Lester Joey Beniga and computer division head Nelyn Sanrojo.
Media reports said Ombudsman Samuel Martires made his decision after four City Hall employees — Filomena Atuel, Maria Almicar Dionggzon, Sybil Ann Ybañez, and Chito Dela Cerna — filed an administrative case against Rama and the seven other officials last April.
Atuel, Diongzon, Ybañez and Dela Cerna sought the anti-graft office’s assistance over the city government’s alleged failure to pay their salaries for 10 months. | RMN / jkv
Cebu City • News & Information 