Through his lawyers, Michael Rama claims he is still mayor of Cebu City, a claim they have backed up by filing several complaints and which further intensifies the legal battle to reclaim City Hall .

CEBU, Philippines – Michael Rama is still the mayor of Cebu City, his lawyers said in a press conference Wednesday (Nov. 20). Rama’s six-month preemptive suspension expired while his widely reported revocation was never implemented, attorneys Collin Rosell and Mikel Rama said.

Rosell, who was the Cebu City administrator under Rama, also said he filed several complaints against Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Cebu City Police Office Director Col. Antonietto Cañete, and several other officials of the police and town hall.

In the filing documents, Rosell identified Garcia as “vice mayor of Cebu City.”

Cases include arbitrary detention, unlawful arrest, tumultuous disorder, slight physical injury, serious threats, serious coercion, malicious mischief, violation of the New Philippine Passport Act, violation of the Act on regulation of access devices, child abuse, serious misconduct, serious neglect of duty, serious abuse of authority. The cases were filed before the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman and sought damages and preventive suspension.

Mikel, who is also the son of troubled Michael Rama, said they will file even more complaints.

The cases stem from Rosell’s arrest and detention last Nov. 8, after he held a news conference at City Hall and signed papers as a city administrator in the mayor’s office. Rosell said he was returning to his position after his precautionary suspension expired.

Rosell said his arrest last November 8, a Friday, was irregular and politically motivated. Mikel said it was obvious they wanted to harass and humiliate Rosell by detaining him for several days since the case he was arrested for was not filed until the Tuesday afternoon after the incident. Rosell was able to post bail on November 9 at noon.

Rosell said it was an arrest without a warrant, without a complaint and without him being investigated, despite the availability of court personnel even at night.

Rosell said he included child abuse among his complaints because what police did deprived him of support for his five minor children who depended on him. He added that five students also depend on him, although he clarified that not all of them are his children. The other cases were filed because his phone, laptop, identification and other personal belongings were not returned to him.

Rosell also questioned why the police blotter showed a different arresting officer when it was Cañete who led his arrest. He said it was all on video.

Rosell also questioned the charge of usurpation when even the Cebu City Charter supported his claim that he was still the city administrator. He cited a charter provision that states the city administrator “shall hold office only during the term of office of the mayor who appointed him, and until his successor is appointed and qualified, unless he is resigned earlier, for or without cause, by the mayor.

Mikel and Rosell also described as unusual and irregular the way Rama’s suspension was reported and Garcia sworn in as his full replacement to complete his term. Mikel said they sent official communications to the Department of the Interior and Local Government as well as the Visayas Ombudsman on the implementation of the dismissal as early as October 18.

Mikel said they requested “proof of service of the execution order in question to Mayor Rama’s council” and documents stipulating DILG’s involvement in the implementation.

“We really asked for documentation and evidence no no (there has been) implementation,” Mikel said. “Until now, to this day, no one has provided us with documentation, records no no (that there was) an implementation carried out.

Mikel said it was important because it was required by regulation and they needed it “to pursue the remedies” his father had.

They also questioned why DILG Central Visayas Director Leocadio T. Trovela did not check the implementation with the Visayas Ombudsman and instead took the floor from Mayor Garcia’s office.

Rama, along with seven other city hall officials, were suspended in May for non-payment of salaries to several city hall employees. Towards the end of his suspension, reports spread of his dismissal and perpetual ban from holding public office for nepotism.

When asked about Rama’s whereabouts and whether he would take over as mayor, Mikel simply replied: “Everything will be revealed in due time.”

Rosell, however, said Rama does not need to be at City Hall to act as mayor. He also said that as a city administrator, he was the mayor’s alter ego. The mayor is an office and not just a person, he said.

“Kung kita ka nako, kita ka sa mayorsaid Rosell. (If you see me, you see the mayor.) – Rappler.com

Max Limpag, a freelance journalist based in Cebu, is a Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow from Rappler for 2024.