2 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — The city government here has lodged a police blotter against dismissed mayor Michael Rama for his continued refusal to return a city-owned vehicle.
The City Legal Office (CLO) filed the report at the Waterfront Police Station.
"Of course, I am urging and hoping that former mayor Michael Rama will return the vehicle so that we can have peace moving forward when it comes to that," Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said.
While a police blotter does not automatically result in a criminal case, it serves as an official record and could be used as a basis for future legal action.
The City Hall had initially demanded the return of a Toyota Hiace Super Grandia van, valued at P3 million, in a letter sent to Rama on Oct. 18, 2024.
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A follow-up demand letter was issued on Feb. 19, 2025, setting a 24-hour deadline, which expired on Feb. 21 without compliance.
Garcia had earlier warned that legal actions, including possible carnapping charges, were being considered.
Under Republic Act 6539, or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, taking a motor vehicle without consent and with intent to gain is a criminal offense.
Rama, who is running against Garcia in the May 12 mayoral elections, has refused to acknowledge the validity of the demand.
He maintains that he remains Cebu City's rightful mayor until June 30 and that the Ombudsman's dismissal order against him is not yet final.
On Feb. 21, Rama confronted CLO head Santiago Ortiz Jr. at the legislative building, denouncing the demand letter as "oppression and abuse of authority."
"[This] is oppression. [This] is tyranny. It's an abuse of authority, even my vehicle, it has to be returned," Rama said.
Inside the CLO office, Rama pressed Ortiz for answers.
"Look at my eyes. I have not done anything wrong. The one you wrote, how about we reverse the situation. You are a lawyer — why, in heaven's name, would you do this? Who directed you?"
Ortiz responded, "The mayor ... I'm just doing my job. It was stated in the letter that it was on behalf of the Cebu City government. Don't take it personally."
The standoff traces back to City Hall's earlier attempts to retrieve both the Super Grandia and a Toyota Yaris Cross. While Rama's camp returned the Yaris Cross, the van remains unaccounted for.
Garcia said that government property should not be used by private individuals.
"A private individual cannot use government property, especially for private purposes. We are very strict about this. I will not allow it," the mayor said.
Despite repeated notices, Rama's legal counsel maintains that Rama is still the city's chief executive and has the right to use the vehicle.
Their response also asserts that there is no available record showing the implementation of the Ombudsman's dismissal order.
"My directive is to recover the vehicle but not forcibly. We must go through proper legal channels," Garcia said.
As the legal battle unfolds, City Hall is awaiting recommendations from its legal office on whether to escalate the matter to civil or criminal proceedings.
