Cebu Metropolis Mayor Michael Rama
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The management of Cebu Metropolis Mayor Michael Rama has been in jeopardy in latest months as a collection of authorized controversies have unfolded.
Initially, he was positioned below preventive suspension for failing to pay the salaries of 4 common workers. Extra not too long ago, the Workplace of the Ombudsman discovered him responsible of allegations of nepotism and grave misconduct, resulting in his everlasting disqualification from public workplace.
This text outlines the timeline of occasions which have led to those developments, primarily based on protection by CDN Digital.
April 16, 2024: Staff report wage delays
On April 16, 4 common workers from the Cebu Metropolis authorities, together with Maria Almicar Diongzon, Filomena Atuel, Chito Dela Cerna, and Sybil Ann Ybañez, reported that that they had not acquired their salaries for practically ten months.
The delay stemmed from a reassignment order issued in June 2023, which the workers contested, main them to hunt help from the Civil Service Fee (CSC).
The CSC dominated that their reassignments had been non-executory, permitting the workers to renew their earlier positions.
READ: 4 Cebu Metropolis ex-tax mappers cry: Give us our 10 months price of salaries
April 17, 2024: Metropolis Administrator’s rationalization
Metropolis Administrator Collin Rosell asserted that the wage delay was because of the workers’ non-compliance with their reassignment orders.
He claimed the federal government’s payroll processing was obstructed by the workers’ failure to report back to their newly assigned areas, emphasizing the town’s place.
READ: Delayed salaries on account of workers’ defiance – Metropolis Admin
Might 8, 2024: Preventive suspension order
The Workplace of the Ombudsman issued a preventive suspension order towards Mayor Michael Rama and 7 different metropolis officers on Might 8, 2024.
The suspended officers included Metropolis Administrator Collin Rosell, Metropolis Planning and Growth Officer Katerina Janna L. Cabral, Cebu Metropolis Catastrophe Threat Discount and Administration Workplace Chief Nagiel Bañacia, Cebu Metropolis Social Welfare and Companies Officer Malou Celeste, Human Useful resource Administration Officer Ma. Melania B. Mendez, Workplace of the Senior Residents Affairs Head Graciela P. Decena, and Bureau of Fireplace Safety-Cebu Metropolis Fireplace Marshal Insp. Jeferson P. Albasin.
The suspension, which was set for six months, was primarily based on complaints of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public officer, notably in relation to the unresolved wage points for the workers.
READ: Cebu Metropolis Mayor Mike Rama suspended for six months
Might 17, 2024: Courtroom of Appeals dismissal
On Might 17, the Courtroom of Appeals dismissed a petition for certiorari filed by Rama and the opposite suspended officers.
The courtroom famous that the petitioners did not first search reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s resolution, which is a needed step earlier than such appeals.
READ: CA dismisses petition for certiorari filed by Cebu Metropolis Mayor Rama, seven others
Might 28, 2024: Movement to elevate suspension
In response to the Courtroom of Appeals’ dismissal, Rama’s authorized staff filed a movement on Might 28 with the Workplace of the Ombudsman to elevate the suspension order.
They contended that the Ombudsman’s resolution was primarily based on biased data and argued that the suspension would trigger grave harm to each Rama and the town’s voters.
READ: Suspended Mayor Rama recordsdata movement for reconsideration to CA
June 20, 2024: Denial of movement
The Ombudsman denied the motions to elevate the suspension on June 20, stating that the proof of guilt was robust and highlighted the seriousness of the allegations, which included dishonesty and grave misconduct.
READ: Ombudsman denies Rama’s petition to elevate preventive suspension
August 20, 2024: Petition to the Supreme Courtroom
On August 20, Rama filed a petition with the Supreme Courtroom difficult the constitutionality of the Ombudsman’s suspension order.
He argued that the order violated his rights as an elected native official below the Ombudsman Act of 1989 and claimed that the Ombudsman overstepped its bounds.
READ: Rama challenges suspension; SC orders Ombud, DILG to reply
September 10, 2024: Rama’s nepotism case resurfaces; his authorized staff denies dismissal rumors
On September 10, Rama’s authorized staff refuted rumors about his dismissal from public workplace, asserting that stories regarding a penalty associated to nepotism had been unfounded.
His camp subsequently filed a Movement for Clarification with the Ombudsman to handle these rumors and search readability on his standing.
READ: Rama dismissed from public workplace? Legal professionals shut down rumors
September 25: Ombuds finds possible trigger in nepotism case
On September 25, the Workplace of the Ombudsman introduced its resolution to raise the nepotism case towards Rama to courtroom.
The ruling discovered possible trigger for 3 counts of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act on account of alleged nepotistic appointments.
Rama’s protection claimed he was misled into signing the appointments, however the Ombudsman maintained that his allegations lacked substantiation, citing his oversight as mayor.
READ: Ombuds finds possible trigger in nepotism case vs. Rama
September 25: Rama to problem Ombudsman ruling on nepotism case
Rama’s authorized staff deliberate to file a movement for reconsideration following the Workplace of the Ombudsman’s ruling on his nepotism case.
They confirmed they’re making ready to contest the Ombudsman’s decision, which discovered possible trigger to indict the mayor for appointing his brothers-in-law to authorities positions in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
READ: Rama to problem Ombudsman ruling on nepotism case
October 3, 2024: Ombudsman orders Rama’s dismissal, everlasting disqualification from public workplace
On October 3, the Workplace of the Ombudsman ordered the everlasting disqualification of Michael Rama from holding any authorities place.
The ruling, dated September 9, discovered him responsible of nepotism and grave misconduct for hiring his spouse’s two brothers as informal workers at Metropolis Corridor.
This resolution entailed his dismissal from service, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement advantages, and a everlasting ban on future authorities employment.
READ: Preventively suspended Cebu Metropolis Mayor Michael Rama banned from public workplace
The announcement coincided together with his political staff, Partido Barug BagOng Sugbo Group Rama, submitting their Certificates of Candidacy on the identical day for the 2025 midterm elections. /clorenciana
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