Palace junks Rama’s plea

MANILA, Philippines —  The Office of the President has denied for lack of merit the request of suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to preventively suspend Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

"After a preliminary evaluation of the complaint, this Office finds allegations of the same insufficient to warrant the issuance of the order prayed for," read the Office of the President’ order.

Sugbo News, Cebu Capitol's news portal, posted the said order, which has no date and signatory, in its official Facebook page last June 8.

It was March this year when Rama filed an administrative complaint against the governor before the Office of the President over Garcia’s alleged “meddling” on to the ongoing construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project along Osmen~a Blvd. in Cebu city.

The complaint came after Garcia issued a cease and desist order last February addressed to the CBRT proponent, which is the Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd., because of heritage concerns.

The governor was concerned about the construction activities, particularly the bus station right across the Capitol, because the Capitol building is a historical landmark.

Rama alleged that Garcia committed abuse of authority, oppression, grave misconduct, and violated the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when she issued the said order.

He claimed that the governor has no right to meddle with “Cebu city's affairs” since the city is a highly-urbanized city operating independently and not under the jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu.

Garcia's camp answered Rama's accusation of meddling by saying that the governor was just invoking the rights of the Capitol as the owner of the concerned lot being affected by the CBRT construction.

Garcia also said that she did not mean the whole CBRT construction should be stopped, arguing that she only pointed at the design of the bus stations along Osmeña Blvd. that would impact the visual and cultural integrity of the Capitol building.

In the same order by the Office of the President, the governor was directed to file "her verified answer (not a motion to dismiss) to the complaint with proof of its service to the complaint" within 15 days upon receipt of the order.

Garcia is currently in Russia for a nine-day business trip.

But lawyer Donato Villa, Cebu provincial legal officer, told The Freeman that they received a copy of the order on May 13 and was able to answer the complaint within 15 days.

He said the signatory of the order was Atty. Anna Liza Logan, deputy executive secretary for legal affairs of the Office of the President.

Sought for his comment, Rama issued a statement appealing for the governor to fully cooperate with the proceedings.

"As stewards of our constituents' interests, it is paramount that all public officials adhere to the highest standards of accountability and transparency. Mayor Rama underscores the significance of due process and the rule of law in resolving such issues,” read the statement.

“Above all, he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the needs of constituents and delivering the exceptional service they rightfully expect from their leaders" it added.

Rama, who is serving a six-month preventive suspension along with City Administrator Collin Rosell and six other City Hall officers, said he hoped that the Office of the President would resolve the case "with steadfast dedication to fairness, transparency, and due process".

"Mayor Rama will continue to fight for the autonomy of Cebu City and defend it from encroachments. He remains committed to battling corruption and standing up for what is right and just," read the statement, where he also mentioned his other conflicts with government officials and offices.

"We, Cebuanos, will fight for our right to keep MCWD (Metro Cebu Water District) ercorruption-free and responsive to the needs of consumers. We will insist on the right of Cebu City to demand that the CPA (Cebu Port Authority) comply with our local laws and regulations, and we will continue the fight to ensure the timely completion of the CBRT," it added. (CEBU NEWS)