Rama defies City Hall, refuses to return gov’t-owned vehicle

Local

THE camp of dismissed Mayor Michael Rama has insisted that he remains Cebu City’s rightful mayor and is entitled to the continued use of a government-owned vehicle.

In a letter addressed to the Cebu City Legal Office, his camp argued that there is no official record proving that the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision removing Rama from office has been implemented.

"We clarify that, to date, no record shows that the Decision of the Office of the Ombudsman… has been implemented, contrary to the rules of the Office of the Ombudsman itself," Rama’s legal counsel Luis A. Vera Cruz Jr.wrote.

In the document obtained by MyTV Cebu, he cited a November 6, 2024, letter from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which stated that it "is not privy to the implementation of the said decision."

Without official proof that the dismissal was properly served, Rama’s camp maintains that he continues to hold office as mayor and retains all its privileges, including the use of the Toyota Hiace Super Grandia that the City Hall is demanding back.

Rama's conditions

Despite asserting his claim to the mayoralty, Rama expressed willingness to return the vehicle, but only after proper legal documentation is secured.

"Proper documentation is imperative and must be complied with for any demand or return of the subject vehicle," Vera Cruz stated, warning against any action based on "whims and caprices."

To resolve the issue, Rama’s camp called on the city’s executive and legislative departments to formally request all relevant records from the Ombudsman, including proof of service of the implementation order.

"The eventual return of the subject vehicle is not in any way a relinquishment of any rights or authority vested in Mayor Rama," Vera Cruz emphasized, adding that Rama remains committed to public accountability.

City Hall weighs legal action

City Hall previously warned that Rama’s continued possession of the vehicle could lead to civil and criminal charges, including possible carnapping.

"Government vehicles should not be in the hands of private individuals, particularly those no longer in office," Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia earlier said.

"If you are not the owner, then you are not authorized to use it, and that can be tantamount to carnapping," he added.(MyTVCebu)