Businessman seeks Rama’s dismissal

CEBU, Philippines - A local businessman has asked the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to dismiss Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama from service for allegedly causing “undue injury” and falsifying public documents by making untruthful statements in a closure order he issued last year.

Adrian Lee submitted his position paper to the anti-graft office, contending that Rama’s “moral depravity” caused him, his sibling, and the city government “serious damage” and “grave prejudice.”

“Mayor Rama should be meted with penalty of dismissal from government service with all the accessory penalties,” he stated.

Lee said that Rama’s act constitutes grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty. Lee filed administrative complaints against Rama before the Ombudsman in August last year.

Lee said that the closure order Rama issued on June 30, 2015 made it appear that the locational clearance and building and fencing permits of his building had been revoked even though the matter was still pending before the Department of Public Works and Highways.

In his affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman-Visayas, Rama sought the dismissal of the complaint for being “totally baseless and unsubstantiated.”

Lee also filed grave misconduct and serious dishonesty against lawyer Jose Marie Poblete, head of the Office of the Building Official.

The complaint came on the heels of the OBO’s order to close Lee’s Camia Street Cafe and Restaurant along Don Jose Avila Street in Barangay Capitol Site for allegedly operating without mayor’s permit.

In his position paper, Lee said the supposed road widening of Don Jose Avila was not approved by an ordinance from the City Council. He said Rama is not authorized to enforce the road-widening since no funds have been allocated for the payment of just compensation to stakeholders as provided for in the expropriation rule.

 Lee cried foul over his building being singled out by the mayor.

“Mayor Rama dishonestly refused to renew or extend Camia Cafe’s temporary business permit and refused to accept any payment from us in violation of the Cebu City Tax Ordinance to complainant and his sister’s grave prejudice and injury,” he lamented.—(FREEMAN)