Rama's camp decries nepotism case rumors

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama's camp condemns assumptions and rumors being spread regarding a supposed decision on the nepotism case filed against the former as there are still unresolved issues concerning this.

“We have been informed that last Friday evening, a City Hall Official, speaking before the South District Barangay Captains at a hotel in Cebu City, PUBLICLY CLAIMED to have read a decision regarding the nepotism case filed against Mayor Rama,” said Mayor Rama’s spokesperson, lawyer Joselito Thomas Baena, in a statement.

The Freeman tried to ask Atty. Baena who the said official was, but said they will name the said official in due time.

A barangay captain, who was also in a meeting with some City Hall officials, refuses to name the official that Rama’s camp may be referring to as they have no recording of such a meeting since someone has been checking on them accordingly.

According to Baena, the official claimed to have read the decision regarding the nepotism case filed against Mayor Rama in January 2023.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a certain Jonel Saceda alias “Inday Josa Chongbian Osmeña,” wherein Saceda alleged that Rama illegally appointed his brothers-in-law, Elmer and Gomer Mandanat, as casual employees of the city hall and the Cebu City Medical Center, respectively, in 2022.

The complainant said Rama violated the Administrative Code and the Local Government Code, which prohibit public officials from appointing their relativ es to any position in the government.

The decision accordingly imposes a penalty of dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Baensa said such information “is deeply troubling and highly irregular.”

“The case against Mayor Rama isn’t even ready for a decision—there are still unresolved issues that are still needed to finish the case,” Baena stressed.

Under the Ombudsman’s rules, there are still procedural steps that must be completed before a decision can be made.

“To date, Mayor Rama has not received any notice that the case is submitted for resolution,” Baena added.

The official who reportedly boasted about the alleged decision is not a party to the case and should not have had access to it, Rama’s camp stressed.

“Either he has misrepresented the truth before the Barangay Captains, or there are serious irregularities at play,” said Baena.

“This situation is concerning, as it eerily echoes the preventive suspension of Mayor Rama earlier this year, when, on April 30, a known figure in City Hall similarly made claims about the upcoming suspension—and it, too, came to pass…Suspiciously, the claim was made days before the date of the signing of the official order which was May 2,” Baena added.

Rama's preventive suspension served earlier this year was related to a different case—specifically the non-payment of salaries of some employees of the City Hall.

As such, Rama’s camp said they strongly condemn the action of the official who discussed the nepotism issue.

“We strongly condemn these actions, which are not only disrespectful to the people of Cebu but also undermine the integrity of our institutions. This behavior must be addressed to restore confidence in due process and the rule of law... Our goal should always be to strengthen our nation, not to erode trust in the very systems that uphold it,” ended Baena. — (FREEMAN)