DILG-7 Implements 6-month Suspension on Rama, 13 Others

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 on Tuesday served the six-month suspension order imposed by the Office of the President on Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgar Labella and 12 councilors for “abuse of authority.”

The Office of the President found Rama, Labella and 12 councilors guilty of “abuse of authority” for releasing a PHP20,000 calamity assistance to all city officials and employees in December 2013 after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda hit Cebu.

Rama was not in his office when DILG-7 Director Rene Burdeos and other officials served the order Tuesday morning.

Burdeos posted a copy of the suspension order on the door of the Office of the City Mayor as no one received it.

Labella, who arrived at his office around noon Tuesday, said he will abide by the suspension order but will question it in court.

He said he will return all vehicles issued to him and he will no longer go inside the Vice Mayor’s Office.

Labella, who was reelected in the May 9 elections, said he will work in his law firm while serving the suspension order which is only up to June 30.

The Commission on Elections has allowed the DILG to implement the suspension order against Rama, Labella and Councilors Alvin Dizon, Noel Wenceslao, Dave Tumulak, Hanz Abella, Gerardo Carillo, Nestor Archival Sr., Mary Ann delos Santos, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla,Roberto Cabarrubias, Nida Cabrera and Eugenio Gabuya Jr.

Those who were not included in the suspension order are Councilors Margot Osmeña, Leah Japson, Richard Osmeña and James Cuenco.

Osmeña and Japson abstained from voting on the supplemental budget that appropriated PHP83.5 million for the financial assistance of 4,200 city officials and workers, while Richard Osmeña and Cuenco were absent when the budget was passed.

Osmeña, wife of mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña, assumed as acting mayor, while Cuenco assumed as acting vice mayor. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS