FROM ALLIES TO FOES: Rama to file disbarment case against Garcia

Local

FORMER Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced on Tuesday, January 28, that he will pursue a disbarment case against Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Rama accused Garcia of professional misconduct and assuming the mayoralty without proper process. He directed his legal counsel, former City Administrator Collin Rosell, to draft the case.

Rama said that they have strong grounds for the disbarment case against Garcia, citing his assumption of the mayoralty, which they believe violated legal procedures.

Rama again labeled Garcia a “fake mayor” and criticized his unprofessional conduct.

"If you do not know how to manage power, corruption reign," he said.

He contrasted this with Mandaue City’s then Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, who maintained a cooperative relationship with his predecessor, Jonas Cortes, after a similar dismissal.

Rama questioned why Bercede handled the incident differently from Garcia, and he consistently challenged the legitimacy of Garcia’s position.

"Ngano lagi si Vice Mayor Bercede, wala mo kabantay unsay actuation ni Vice Mayor Bercede ug actuation niining fake mayor," he said.

In multiple occasions, he and his supporters claimed that Garcia’s appointment was marked by irregularities, which they plan to highlight in their disbarment complaint.

They accused Garcia’s camp of bypassing procedural requirements, arguing that proper documentation for Garcia’s assumption of office was missing.

Earlier, they emphasized that they had not received the official Ombudsman decision that dismissed Rama, which they said cast doubt on the legality of Garcia’s induction as mayor.

They also recalled an October 5 incident when former Cebu City Police Chief Col. Antonietto Cañete allegedly left an envelope containing the decision at the gate of the Espina compound, where Rama resides.

They noted that the envelope was left in an unsecured area accessible to multiple residents and offices, which they argued invalidated the notification process.

Rama’s legal counsel also questioned the validity of the Ombudsman decision, pointing out that it was signed by the deputy Ombudsman instead of the Ombudsman, despite the mayoralty being a high-ranking government post.

Rama’s camp has taken steps to contest the dismissal. They filed a motion for reconsideration with the Ombudsman on October 15, seeking a review of the decision, and they have elevated the matter to the Supreme Court.

They also challenged Rama’s disqualification from running in the 2025 elections, asserting his intention to seek reelection despite his legal troubles.

Rama was initially suspended over allegations of failing to pay four city hall employees for 10 months but was ultimately dismissed from office in a separate case involving nepotism.

Then acting mayor Garcia assumed office on October 9 as full fledged local chief executive, with Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Visayas Director Leocadio Trovela officiating the ceremony.

Rama was elatwd that his name was included in the official 2025 ballot template which secured his spot in the mayoralty race.(MyTVCebu)