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DILG chief: Suspension of Cebu City execs 'nothing to do with politics'

April 13, 2016 | 7:20am

MANILA, Philippines - The decision to suspend Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and other city government officials has gone through the normal legal process and has nothing to do with politics, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said Wednesday.

Sarmiento added that the DILG is still waiting for official instructions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the matter of Rama’s suspension saying that it is covered by election laws.

"The DILG will definitely abide by whatever decision from the Comelec. This matter about the suspension of Mayor Rama and the other Cebu City officials has nothing to do with politics," Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento added that as a close friend of the Rama family since the 70s, he would resist any attempt to distort the legal process just to pin down Mayor Rama.

He, however, said that as DILG secretary, he has a sworn duty to implement a lawful order regardless of political and personal affiliations.

"It really bleeds my heart that we have to come to this situation where my department had to make a decision unfavorable to people who are truly dear to me. I could have intervened to help the Ramas because I treat them like a family but it is against my nature to use my office and my position to obstruct the rule of law," Sarmiento said in a statement.

Sarmiento added that upon his assumption as DILG secretary in September last year, he has adopted a hands-off policy on matters that pertains to legal cases involving elective officials.

He said that the DILG Legal Department has been given the free hand and the blanket authority to exercise its mandate to investigate complaints filed against local government officials.

In fact, Sarmiento said he only learned about Mayor Rama's case when the DILG Legal Department has already submitted its decision in relation to the complaint filed against him and other Cebu City officials by Labangon Barangay Captain Vic Buendia.

Buendia claimed that Mayor Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and other city council members committed grave abuse of authority over the controversial release of the P20,000 calamity aid to all city hall employees in 2013.

"As a matter of policy, I have given the DILG Legal Department the free hand and the blanket authority to investigate and make a ruling on all cases or complaints filed against local government officials. All resolutions coming from the DILG Legal are issued without requiring my prior approval," Sarmiento said.

Being a non-lawyer, Sarmiento said that he is deferring to the expertise and knowledge of the DILG's Legal Department, which recommended the suspension of Mayor Rama and the city council members.

And in the interest of fairness, Sarmiento said the DILG Legal Department has referred the case to the Comelec taking into consideration the existing Omnibus Election Code ruling that prohibits the agency from implementing suspension orders against elective officials during the election period.