The political martyrdom of Mayor Mike Rama

Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who has been allegedly dismissed even before he was afforded an ample opportunity to be heard in court, was deprived of his right without due process of law. The deprivation of the mandate of hundreds of thousands of Cebuanos was timed during the period for filing the certificate of candidacy. That’s too much of a coincidence.

And it was prematurely announced to the media even before he was given a copy of the supposed order of dismissal. Of course, they would invoke presumption of regularity of judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings. But such cruel, unjust, and unfair timing and style of information dissemination was in defiance of fairness and justice. His accusers didn’t come to court with clean hands. His detractors didn’t observe honesty and good faith. He isn’t like Congressman Teves, who is accused of multiple murder. Rama is a good man and an honorable public official. He doesn’t deserve such cruel and unusual punishment.

Rama isn’t like Apollo Quiboloy, who is being charged with multiple counts of trafficking in persons of minors. He was serving the people of Cebu City with utmost sincerity, perseverance, and devotion to duty. He devoted more than two-thirds of his life in the service of the Cebuano constituents, helping the poor, sacrificing days and nights to give aid and comfort in good times and in bad. Most of all he isn’t like Alice Guo who is being charged for trafficking and is about to be charged allegedly of many other shenanigans in public service. He is a hardworking, hard-hitting, and focused public servant. He doesn’t deserve his current predicament. There are far many others more abominable and callous.

There are many criminals in this country, some of them in public service. There are even ex-convicts who sit in the highest policy-making body of the land. There are many corrupt, scheming, and hideous characters in government, including those in the legislative, executive, and even in the judiciary. But, of all people, Rama isn’t among the most despicable public officials who blatantly perpetrate such reprehensible acts of plunder, graft and all schemes and machinations in the squandering of public funds. He isn’t even accused of stealing one peso from public coffers. He was suspended because his subordinates failed to pay the salary of four people on time. And now he is being dismissed because the two brothers of his wife have gotten employed in the city government. Such flimsy charges.

Those who are completely and totally without sins, let them cast the first stone. I know of Cabinet members who appoint their siblings to juicy positions and they get away scot-free, of governors and mayors who used their power to put their children in high places and they remain untouched. I know of many members of Congress who also practiced nepotism in all its forms, styles, colors, and shades. And they remain unmolested. They can see a small speck in the eyes of Rama, But they ignore the huge and gargantuan boulders of abuses in high places. And they single out a man who just wanted to help people earn an honest living. This is sheer and even blatant hypocrisy in the highest order. He is penalized because he loves his wife so much to help her brothers.

All heroes undergo trials, tribulations, even crucifixion. Rama is presently suffering deep agony, pain, and disillusionment. Many of his fake and pretentious friends have abandoned him. This is the time when he will realize who his true and genuine friends are. I have known him from the very start. I knew him when he was a young student. In fact, he was my student. I gave him the honor of being a secondary sponsor in my wedding. I trust him because I know him to be an honest man. Those who don’t really know him, those who just came much later to gain favor from him, have no moral right to judge his character.

If there were only 100 honest and sincere people in Cebu, He would be one of them. If there were only 20 or 10 or five, he would still be one of them. That is why I am one of those who feel very sad for what people who don't know him are doing to his life, honor, and rights. I know that God is watching all of us and that ultimately, the truth shall prevail. And Rama shall be vindicated.