Complainant in nepotism raps vs Rama: No politics behind suit

CEBU, Philippines — The complainant in the nepotism and graft case against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has maintained that the suit is not politically motivated.

In justifying his complaint, Jonel Saceda, alias "Inday Josa Chongbian Osmeña,” said he only felt sorry for those who lost their jobs after the Rama’s administration allegedly accommodated the relatives of his wife for the positions.

“Walay politiko nga nagpaluyo nako. Akoa ra gyud ni nga kabubut-on,” Saceda said in an interview with The Freeman yesterday.

Saceda said that he is not connected with any political party.

He said he used to be a supporter of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) but he left the group a long time ago, and he no longer supported the party in the 2022 elections.

Saceda filed his complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas the other day because he found out that the two brothers of the mayor's wife were employed at the city hall.

Rama is currently on vacation and he will only give his answer regarding the issue in the "proper forum".

In Saceda's affidavit, he pointed out that in 2022, the two brothers of the mayor's wife entered as City Hall employees.

Saceda said that the mayor and his wife Marilou Gimenez Mandanat-Rama were married way back October 2021.

Saceda stated that Rama's brother-in-law, Elmer Gimenez Mandanat, was employed at City Hall, while his other brother-in-law was employed as administrative aide III under Cebu City Medical Center.

Also included in the affidavit was a copy of the plantilla for casual appointments at the Office of the Mayor and the Cebu City Medical Center.

Saceda admitted that he is now being bashed on social media, but he said that he just wanted the people to get fair treatment from the government.

"Dili man ni para ako. Ako ning gibuhat aron mobarog isip tingog sa katawhan," Saceda added.

NO COPY YET

Rama's executive secretary, Atty. Collin Rosell, said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint. Thus, he begged off from issuing statements regarding the issue.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that it is not easy to get a job at the city hall because of the rigorous screening through the Human Resources Department.

"Naa man ta'y department nga maoy na-assign gyud sa pagdawat sa mga empleyado. Diha pa lang daan, ilaha nana nga gicheck kun qualified ba o dili ang ilang ma-hire," said Rosell.

Rosell also said that the term of said employees are coterminous with the mayor.

"Hinuon wala pa man sad nato nabasa ang kopya sa kaso. Kun madawat na nato, atong tan-awon kun unsa gyud ang  ilang gipasabot," said Rosell.

Last 2020 , Salceda also filed a complaint of malversation of public property against former Cebu City councilor and now Cebu City South District Rep. Eduardo Rama Jr. over the alleged selling of donated chickens to the public.

Edu insisted that he was innocent and that the allegations against him were untrue. —/JMD (FREEMAN)