Ombudsman suspends Cebu City mayor and seven others

By: Kathleen de Villa, Nestle Semilla – 49 minutes ago

Cebu Mayor Michael Rama NESTLE SEMILLA

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday suspended Mayor Michael Rama and seven other city government officials for six months to make way for an investigation into allegations that the mayor’s office failed in its duty to remit workers’ salaries be.

The suspension order came after the Ombudsman responded to a complaint from former city tax planners alleging several administrative allegations against Rama and others, including serious misconduct, conduct detrimental to the welfare of the service, serious abuse of authority and violations of ethical standards by public officials and employees.

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Ombudsman Samuel Martires has directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately implement the suspension order against Rama and the other respondents.

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“Discrimination, oppression”

Prosecutors cited evidence showing the “involvement” of Rama and the other City Hall officials in the failure to release the salaries of former tax advisors Filomena Atuel, Maria Almicar Diongzon, Sybil Ybañez and Chito dela Cerna since July 2023.

It also pointed out the “discrimination (and) oppression (from which the complainants have suffered”), despite an order of the Civil Service Commission last year declaring their delayed wages and transfers to various positions in the city government “invalid.” explained.

In addition to Rama, City Administrator Collin Rosell, his wife and acting City Assessor Maria Theresa Rosell, Assistant Department Head of Administration and Legal Officer Francis May Jacaban, Deputy Department Head of Operation Angelique Cabugao, Head of Administration Department Jay-Ar Pescante were also suspended. Lester Joey Beniga, head of the assessment records department, and Nelyn Sanrojo, head of the computer department.

“Their continued stay in office could prejudice the investigation of the proceedings against them,” the order said.

The ombudsman said the defendants should be preemptively suspended “to preserve documents and evidence relating to this case over which they have control and custody and to prevent the commission of further misconduct and misconduct in office.”

Unaware

In a media interview on Wednesday, Rama said he was unaware of the complaint and had not received a copy of the suspension order.

He said he had no knowledge of the complaint and lamented his inability to defend himself.

“What salary? I do not even know. How can I be suspended? I have not received a copy of a complaint. How can I know about the issue when I haven’t even had the chance to be heard?” said Rama.

Rama said he cannot take legal action without official documents from the Ombudsman or the DILG.

“How can I appeal if I don’t have a copy of the complaint? I am not aware of the complaint. (But when I receive the copy) we’ll take care of it. I am very busy working for the city of Cebu. (In fact, I am here in Manila on official business), he said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.