3 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — The city government is set to take legal action against dismissed mayor Michael Rama for failing to return a city-owned vehicle despite multiple demands from City Hall.
The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) issued a final demand letter on Wednesday, giving Rama 24 hours to surrender the vehicle.
Officials warned that if he does not comply, the city will pursue civil and criminal charges against him.
NEW LEGAL PRESSURE Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama makes rounds at City Hall for the second time amid mounting legal pressure from the city government to return a government-issued vehicle on Feb. 21, 2025. Officials have warned of civil and criminal charges if the van is not surrendered. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES
City records show that Rama was first asked to return two government-issued vehicles on Oct. 18, 2024, including a Toyota Hiace Super Grandia and a Toyota Yaris Cross. While he returned the Yaris last week, the van remains in his possession.
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The CLO stated in its letter that Rama has no right or authority to retain a city-owned vehicle following his dismissal from office, noting that multiple notices had already been sent.
Officials said Rama initially refused to accept the demand letters, prompting the Department of General Services (DGS) to escalate the matter to the CLO for legal action.
Documents show that the van was issued to Rama on Sept. 21, 2022, during his tenure as mayor, and was purchased for over P3 million.
The CLO warned that failure to return the vehicle could result in charges for unauthorized use of government property, which carries legal consequences.
Rama was dismissed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman in Sept. 2024 allegedly for nepotism and grave misconduct for appointing two of his brothers-in-law to city government positions.
His dismissal carried a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
Rama challenged the ruling. The Ombudsman denied his motion for reconsideration on Jan. 15, 2025, reaffirming its decision.
On Feb. 10, he elevated the case to the Supreme Court, questioning the Ombudsman's jurisdiction and alleging violations of his constitutional rights.
As of Feb. 20, Rama has not formally responded to the CLO's latest demand. However, he told reporters that he would address the issue in a press conference on Friday.
When approached by The Manila Times after making rounds at City Hall, he declined to comment.
Shortly after Rama's visit, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia reiterated in a press conference that the city-owned vehicle must be returned.
He stressed that the final demand letter was issued after multiple ignored requests and warned that legal action would follow if the vehicle is not surrendered.
Garcia also emphasized that the van is a government property and should not remain in the possession of a private individual.
