DILG fails to serve Rama suspension order

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Central Visayas office failed yesterday to implement the six-month preventive suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and seven other city hall officials.

No one among the officials was present to receive the suspension order.

A team led by DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela arrived at the city hall at 11:40 a.m., but no one was in Rama’s office to receive the suspension order.

Trovela and his companions went to the offices of the other respondents, but the employees there said they would not receive the notices of suspension.

The DILG team left at 2 p.m. after posting the suspension notices on the door of the city assessor’s office.

“We tried... The intention is to serve it personally kaya pumunta kami sa office,” Trovela told reporters. ”Babalik kami and i-exhaust namin lahat para ma-receive nila ang notice personally.”

He said they would look at other modes of serving the suspension order.

The DILG regional office received the suspension order on Thursday from Undersecretary for external, legal and legislative affairs Juan Victor Llamas.

In a 10-page resolution issued on Tuesday, the ombudsman said it found ”sufficient grounds” to suspend Rama and seven other city hall officials for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of public officer, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Also ordered suspended were city administrator Collin Rosell, city assessor officer-in-charge Maria Theresa Rosell, assistant department head for administration Francis May Jacaban, assistant department head for operations Angelique Cabugao, administrative division head Jay-Ar Pescante, division head for assessment of records management Lester Joey Beniga and computer division head Nelyn Sanrojo.

The cases stemmed from a complaint over the illegal reassignment and withholding of salaries of  four city hall employees.

Rama to question suspension before SC

In an interview over RMN Sugbuanon Channel, Rama said he would question the ombudsman’s order before the Supreme Court.

He said they were not given a chance to defend themselves, adding that he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

Rama said he finds it “unusual” that the case has progressed when  the complaint was filed only last Feb. 23.

He said he had instructed his legal team to prepare cases against his critics.

“My… lawyers know what they ought to do,” Rama said.

On Thursday night, Rama’s supporters gathered in front of the city hall to express their support for the mayor.