Rama wants to challenge the suspension order in the Supreme Court and is preparing for the legal battle

By: Pia Piquero – 9 seconds ago

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama during his speech at the prayer rally on Sunday, February 25. Screengrab/SMNI Facebook live

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama stands firm despite the Ombudsman ordering a preventive suspension.

He now plans to seek Supreme Court intervention, believing the decision could be politically motivated.

Rama questions the fairness of the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s six-month suspension, saying he and seven other City Hall officials were not given a chance to defend themselves.

“Damage has already been done. Unsa pama’y mabuhat nako ani? I have already been convicted. All I had to do was make the purchase. I am already convicted,” Rama said on his teleradio show “Ingna’ng Mayor” on May 10.

READ: EXPLANATION: Rama’s suspension and why did the Ombudsman order it?

Is there politics behind Rama’s suspension order?

Rama vowed to take a series of legal actions against those who persecute him, including the anti-corruption agency, for maliciously damaging the reputation of him and his family.

He admitted he felt exhausted by the criticism.

He warned that even members of the media who damage his family’s reputation could face legal consequences.

“Whatever media or not, we will stay informed and bring what is ours, what is our right and the right of everyone who has been maliciously embarrassed,” Rama said.

He remained adamant that the suspension order had political implications, calling it “pathetic and disgusting” that his political opponents had used all possible means to oust him from office.

Meanwhile, in Central Visayas, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) failed to serve the suspension order to Rama and several other city officials on May 10.

Suspension order against Rama, 7 others not yet final – DILG-7

Although they had already posted a memorandum to the city assessor’s office, they clarified that this action was not the final delivery of the suspension order, but rather a notification. They expressed their intention to return and personally deliver the order to the respondents.

In addition to Rama, the other defendants in the suspension order are attorneys Collin Rossell, Maria Theresa Rossell, Francis May Jacaban, Angelique Cabugao, Jay-Ar Pescante, Lester Joey Beniga and Nelyn Sanrojo.

The issue arose from the city government’s decision to assign new roles to four regular tax carters, which the complainants described as an act of oppression and discrimination. /clorenciana

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