1 month ago
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CEBU CITY — Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama is eyeing to file a disbarment case against Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, whom he accused of unlawfully assuming the mayoralty and committing professional misconduct.
Rama alleged that Garcia's assumption of office violated due process and lacked proper documentation which, he said, cast doubt on the legality of his leadership.
During a press conference on Jan. 28, Rama directed his legal counsel, former city administrator Collin Rosell, to draft the disbarment complaint.
"If you do not know how to manage power, corruption [reigns]," he said, adding that as a lawyer himself, there are valid and strong grounds for the disbarment case against Garcia.
He claimed that Garcia's actions showed ignorance of the law, stating that his dismissal as mayor is not yet final, asserting that he remains the legitimate mayor of Cebu City.
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Rama's camp has contested the Oct. 3, 2024 dismissal order from the Ombudsman, which removed him from office due to nepotism charges.
His legal team questioned its validity, emphasizing that the order was signed by a deputy Ombudsman rather than the Ombudsman, despite involving a high-ranking official.
The decision was allegedly served improperly, with the dismissal order left in an unsecured area outside Rama's residence, accessible to other residents and offices.
According to Rama, his motion for reconsideration filed with the Ombudsman on Oct. 15, 2024, as well as their elevated petition to the Supreme Court, make the decision against him nonfinal.
He also pointed out that his preventive suspension had already ended, and he should have been allowed to resume his duties as mayor.
Rama accused the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Garcia of procedural violations, arguing that Garcia had no legal right to permanently assume the mayoralty.
Additionally, he cited Garcia's involvement in a controversial cockfighting derby at NuStar Casino and Resort. Garcia allegedly authorized the derby despite lacking the Cebu City Council's approval.
Rama said this exemplifies Garcia's disregard for the law, claiming it further proves the mayor's unfitness for office.
Rama drew comparisons between Garcia's actions and those of Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, who had previously dealt with a similar political transition after then-mayor Jonas Cortes was dismissed.
"Why is it that Vice Mayor Bercede's actuation was different? Didn't you notice the actuation of Vice Mayor Bercede compared to this fake mayor? said Rama.
The former allies have been at odds since Garcia's assumption of the mayoralty. Rama has consistently referred to Garcia as a "fake mayor" and accused him of undermining the rule of law.
He asserted that Garcia's decisions are politically motivated, especially with the 2025 election season nearing.
Garcia, however, maintained that he acted within the bounds of the law. He emphasized that his assumption of office was done in compliance with the DILG directive, which authorized him to permanently take over following Rama's dismissal.
Despite the ongoing feud, Rama expressed optimism about his political future, noting that his name is already included in the 2025 ballot template. He vowed to seek reelection, describing his candidacy as an opportunity to restore legitimacy to Cebu City's leadership.
The bitter dispute underscores the escalating tensions between the two political figures, who were once allies during the 2022 elections. As the 2025 elections approach, the growing divide between Rama and Garcia continues to capture public attention.
