Suspension of Cebu City Mayor Rama, Lawful, says Malacañang

Malacañang justified on Thursday the suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama saying his temporary removal from office went through legal processes.

“Iyong suspensyon kay Mayor Rama ay isinagawa ng ayon sa batas,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in response to accusations that Rama’s suspension is politically motivated.

“According to administrative procedure, the DILG may recommend disciplinary action on local government officials. In the case of Mayor Rama, the DILG recommended that a preventive suspension be imposed on him and this was affirmed by the Office of the President through Executive Secretary (Paquito) Ochoa.”

Rama’s case went through usual processes after a barangay official filed a compliant against him, Coloma said.

In the usual procedure, a complaint is filed at the Office of the President. The Office of the President remanded the matter to the DILG, which investigated the case.

“So let the facts of the case speak for itself. Ito naman ay dinisesyunan on the merits of the case,” Coloma said.

The Palace suspended Rama for 60 days for alleged violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression in connection with a demolition he ordered last year. PND (as)