Rama asks SC: Stop Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — A day before the start of the campaign period, former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the Office of the Ombudsman from implementing his dismissal as mayor and perpetually disqualifying him from holding public office. 

Rama, who is again running for mayor of Cebu City, said the ombudsman should be stopped from further implementing its Sept. 9, 2024 decision, which ordered his dismissal and perpetual ban.

He also asked the high court to compel the ombudsman to resolve the case with dispatch and to reinstate him as mayor of Cebu City.

Rama argued that the ombudsman acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction and gravely violated his right to speedy disposition of cases.

“Indeed, at least 25 months have lapsed with no resolution from the Ombudsman in sight,” a part of the petition reads. 

“It is also emphasized that time is of the essence here, given the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. The pendency of the proceeding in the Ombudsman case hangs a cloud over Mayor Rama’s qualifications as a candidate. This gives rise for the need to obviate any such doubt in the form of dismissing the proceedings of the Ombudsman case as such proceedings are already null and void due to its inordinate delay,” the petition states.