Rama gives in, returns Cebu City-owned vehicle

Local

THE long-running standoff over a city-issued bulletproof van ended Friday, February 28, when former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama finally turned over the vehicle to Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros.

Facing mounting pressure from City Hall, Rama presented the van to the media at Hotel Fortuna before surrendering the car keys.

Hontiveros said they received the vehicle publicly and returned it in good condition.

"The right process. Kami nidawat in public then amoa ning i-turnover. In good condition man," the vice mayor said.

The surrender came after weeks of tension between Rama and incumbent Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who had demanded the return of the P3-million Toyota Hiace Super Grandia since October 18, 2024.

The City Hall issued a final demand on February 19, setting a 24-hour deadline that expired on February 21 without compliance.

Frustrated by Rama’s refusal, Garcia ordered the filing of a police blotter and warned of possible legal action, emphasizing that government property could not be used for private purposes.

Rama, however, refused to acknowledge the demand, arguing that he remained the rightful mayor until June 30, despite an Ombudsman ruling dismissing him from office.

City Hall confrontation

On February 21, tensions boiled over when Rama confronted City Legal Office (CLO) head Santiago Ortiz Jr. at the legislative building.

He questioned Ortiz’s involvement in drafting the demand letter and asked whether he was personally responsible for it.

Ortiz responded that he was acting on behalf of the mayor and was only doing his job.

Outside the CLO office, Rama denounced the demand as an abuse of authority, expressing frustration over the situation.

He claimed the move against him was oppressive and suggested that those targeting him might as well take more extreme actions against him.

The City Hall had also demanded the return of a Toyota Yaris Cross, which Rama’s camp complied with earlier. But the van, seen as a symbol of his defiance, remained with him until Friday’s turnover.(MyTVCebu)