Rama, Labella leave suspension appeal to DILG

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella would rather leave it to concerned authorities to rule on the appeal to have them suspended preventively.

“Our legal team has been fighting and that there is no basis to justify the move,” Rama said.

Lawyer Reymelio Delute has asked the DILG to suspend only Rama and Labella to avoid “suppression of evidence considering that practically the vast majority of said City Hall officials and employees are beneficiaries of calamity financial assistance and it is their individual interest to collaborate with the respondents in their defense.”

“Huwaton lang tana kay mao man kaha na iyang gusto gyod,” Rama said.

Delute filed the case against the city officials for approving City Ordinance 2379, which granted P20,000 calamity assistance to each of the 4,200 city officials and employees last year following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda.

The case is now pending before the DILG.

“Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, he knows if it’s alright to change his theory in the middle of the proceedings and pray for a selective imposition of sanction,”  Labella said on Delute’s course of action.

Included in the original complaint are Councilors Nestor Archival Sr., Mary Ann delos Santos, David Tumulak, Nendell Hanz Abella, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Roberto Cabarrubias, Ma. Nida Cabrera, Gerardo Carillo, Alvin Dizon, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., and Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao of grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority.

Labella said the DILG only gives its recommendations before the Office of the President where the case was filed.

“Under the rules of procedures, 10 days after we submitted our memorandum or the pleadings, makahatag na og recommendations ang DILG pero it’s up to them,” he said. – (FREEMAN)