Cebu Mayor Mike Rama delivers ‘backstage’ address to the city during preventive suspension

When asked why he was seen in a government vehicle bearing the seal of Cebu City upon his arrival at the venue for his State of the City address, the suspended mayor refused to answer the question.

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama delivered his own State of the City Address (SOCA) at the Casino Español Hotel de Cebu on Thursday night, July 4, while under preventive suspension.

As a reminder, the Ombudsman’s Office imposed a six-month preventive suspension on Rama and seven municipal officials on May 8 following reports of discrimination and unpaid salaries to four municipal employees.

Rama called it his own “backstage” SOCA or BaSOCAPreviously, Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia delivered a speech at Cebu City Hall on Wednesday, July 3.

Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding his suspension, Rama assured his voters that he would remain the “people’s mayor.”

“I will continue to be the servant of your people. I will serve all of you, without distinction,” the mayor said.

He also said that “bitterness, anger and vengeance” are not his thing. He explained that he would choose forgiveness, “because those who do so experience healing.”

During his SOCA, Rama presented his achievements in an 18-minute video presentation, highlighting some of the projects he has undertaken since entering politics in 1992 and the plans he wants to realise.

He also outlined the developments he had made during his current term of office from July 2023 to April 2024 before his preventive suspension.

Among the achievements Rama boasted of is the much-awaited return of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 to Cebu City after 30 years, scheduled to be held from July 9 to 16.

He also expressed his vision to complete the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center, which aims to provide people with better access to healthcare.

“The right to do so”

During the press conference, Rama refused to answer questions about his plans for the 2025 elections as well as his preventive suspension. Most of the questions the suspended mayor answered were related to the Palarong Pambansa and his preparations for the event.

He added that in the two months since his suspension from office, he has visited barangays across the city in the hope of understanding their needs and concerns.

Although Rama never clarified whether he received a formal invitation from Garcia to the Palarong Pambansa, he assured his supporters that he would attend the event to express his support not only for the incumbent Cebu City mayor and councilors but also for Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.

“Let us not spoil the spirit. Let us all work together to make Palaro a success,” Rama said.

When asked why the mayor wanted to give his speech now despite his suspension, attorney Collin Rosell, one of the seven suspended city officials, explained that as elected mayor, Rama had the right to present the report.

“According to our Local Government Code, it is (Ramas’) solemn duty to make the report. In fact, sections 444, 455 and 465 of the Local Government Code emphasize that elected mayors must report, especially on matters involving allocations of funds and support from (the city council) and the people,” Rosell explained.

When asked why he was seen in a government vehicle bearing the seal of Cebu City upon his arrival at the venue and also on June 12 last year when he held his “Team Barug Rama” rally, Rama changed the subject of the interview and refused to answer the question. – Rappler.com