Tensions rise as Cebu City manager returns after suspension

Now that Mayor Michael Rama’s six-month suspension is over, does Cebu City now have two mayors?

There was tension at City Hall on Friday, November 8, 2024, after the dismissed mayor Rama insisted that he was the legitimate mayor.

Lawyer. Collin Rosell got into an altercation with City Hall staff when he was denied entry to the office assigned to him as city manager under Rama’s leadership.

Lawyer. Rosell also told police to keep their distance as he tried to explain his side on his return to the office.

He said he had returned to work now that the preventive suspension had ended and described his return as “official.”

Since his office was locked, he settled into the Mayor’s office with his supporters to perform his city manager duties.

However, Cebu City Law Officer Santiago Ortiz, Jr. He reported the incident to Waterfront Police Station.

In a post published on Cebu City News & Information, the official news portal of the Cebu City Government, Ortiz presented a notebook documenting the issuance of a memorandum and the alleged trespassing of Rosell into City Hall “despite the fact that he was no longer serving as city manager.” “

According to Ortiz, Rosell’s actions could “potentially disrupt official operations at City Hall as he no longer has the authority to make administrative decisions on behalf of the city. The scrapbook file serves as a formal complaint and is subject to further action under this process.” “It is aimed to address and prevent unauthorized action.” The building of the city hall.”

However, Rama did not report to City Hall that day because he was reportedly still out of the country on his honeymoon. However, his camp said Rama plans to lead the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Rama’s side refused to accept the Ombudsman’s decision regarding Rama’s dismissal because they had not yet received a copy of that decision.

Rama’s legal team argued that it was “illegal” for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to install Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia as mayor of Cebu City.

In parallel, Rama’s legal team filed a corruption case against Garcia and the DILG 7 regional director who appointed Garcia as mayor.

Cebu City Mayor Garcia, for his part, is adamant that his inauguration is legal as the procedure was facilitated by the DILG upon the order of the Office of the Ombudsman.

DILG 7 Director Leocadio Trovela officiated Garcia’s swearing-in ceremony on October 9, 2024.

Rama’s supporters held a rally outside City Hall and attempted to enter the building.

Cebu City Police Office personnel prevented fans from further entering the building.

Garcia ordered maximum leniency and also appealed to Rama’s camp to avoid bravado that would hinder the delivery of City Hall services.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak tried to get a statement from the DILG, but the relevant official could not be reached yet.

However, Director Trovela had previously said that what they were implementing was the Ombudsman’s order; being legitimate makes Garcia a “full-fledged mayor.”

(Courtesy of Cebu City News & Information/PIO)