THE camp of dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on Friday, October 18, questioned the legality of the recent induction of then Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia as the new mayor.

The process was allegedly fraught with irregularities, including the lack of proper documentation.

Rama’s legal team, led by suspended City Administrator Collin Rosell, emphasized that they had not received the necessary legal documents, such as the implementing order, to support Garcia’s assumption of office.

"Ang mga taw nga gitahas nga walay kalibutan, si kinsa man diay or unsa’y basehan sa ilahang pag-asumir ug ilang pagpanumpa isip mayor?" Rosell answered a question by MyTV Cebu.

He expressed confusion over how the induction was carried out without their camp being properly notified.

Rama’s legal team detailed that as of Friday, they had not yet been formally served with the decision by the Ombudsman that led to his dismissal from office.

They disputed claims that Rama was already informed, citing an incident on October 5, when police officers, including Cebu City Police Chief Col. Antonietto Cañete, allegedly left an envelope containing a copy of the decision at the gate of the Espina compound, where Rama resides.

“Ang buhatan sa mga abogado ni Mayor Mike Rama ug si Mayor Rama mismo, wala pa gihapon mapasupti, mapadad-i, maserbihi o makadawat gikan sa opisina sa Ombudsman ug opisyal nga kopya sa Desisyon,” they added.

They stressed that the envelope was left in an unsecured location shared by several other residents and offices.

Rama’s legal team also raised questions about the legitimacy of the decision itself, pointing out that the circulating copy was signed by the Deputy Ombudsman, not the Ombudsman, despite the position of mayor being considered a high-level government post.

They also underscored that legal actions are ongoing, revealing that they filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Ombudsman on October 15, seeking a review of the decision.

Additionally, the camp has brought the matter before the Supreme Court to challenge Rama’s disqualification from running in the 2025 elections.

Regarding Rama's future in politics, the legal team reaffirmed his intention to run for reelection next year.

On October 9, Garcia took the oath as the new mayor, officiated by Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Visayas Director Leocadio Trovela.

This followed Rama being found guilty of nepotism, resulting in his dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.(MyTVCebu)

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• #Michael Rama
• #Cebu City
• #Cebu Politics
• #Cebu City Government
• #Cebu City Mayor
• #Raymond Garcia