Palace hit over Cebu mayor’s suspension

MANILA, Philippines - The 60-day suspension Malacañang slapped on Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was meant to paralyze the opposition party in the province, according to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Rama is regional coordinator of UNA, which is chaired by presidential aspirant Vice President Jejomar Binay. Rama left the Liberal Party in 2012.

“UNA denounces the underhanded and intimidating tactics of the administration to neutralize and paralyze the political opposition,” Mon Ilagan, UNA spokesman, said.

Ilagan said Rama’s suspension was “politically charged” and aimed at harassing rivals of the administration party in the 2016 elections.

“You can already smell the stench of political harassment and deceit no matter how much they deodorize and justify the reason for Mayor Rama’s suspension. Malacañang’s suspension order against Mayor Rama is clear proof of Malacañang’s continued harassment of the members of the opposition,” Ilagan said.

He questioned the timing of the suspension order, saying it reeked of political vendetta.

“Like what happened to Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay and other members of the opposition, the administration is removing the opposition’s staunch supporters one by one,” Ilagan said.

Malacañang suspended Rama for alleged violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression for ordering the demolition of a traffic center island and street lighting project last year.