Margot Halts Release of Checks, Orders Return of All City Vehicles

Acting Cebu City Mayor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña on Tuesday ordered the stoppage of issuance of checks and release of payments and the return of all city-owned vehicles issued to village chiefs and department heads.

Osmeña assumed as acting mayor after 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 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.

Osmeña also said she will form a transition team for the smooth turnover of administration to her husband, mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña, on June 30.

Tomas Osmeña, a former mayor and congressman, was elected mayor of Cebu City, defeating Rama in the May 9 elections with a margin of 34,036 votes.

Margot Osmeña was not included in the suspension order against city officials as she abstained, along with Councilor Leah Japson, from voting on the supplemental budget that appropriated PHP83.5 million for the financial assistance of 4,200 city officials and workers.

Also not included in the suspension were Councilors Richard Osmeña and James Cuenco who were absent when the calamity assistance budget was passed.

Cuenco assumed as acting vice mayor. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS