CEBU CITY – The conflict between the mayor of this city and the governor of the province of Cebu is heating up.
GOV. Gwen Garcia is facing an administrative complaint filed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. (FB)
Mayor Michael Rama filed an administrative complaint against Gov. Gwen Garcia for issuing a memorandum ordering the contractors to stop the construction of a bus station near the Provincial Capitol as part of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project.
Rama filed the complaint on Wednesday, March 20, before the Office of the President.
He alleged that “Garcia, by issuing the Assailed Memorandum, violated the Constitution, the Administrative Order 23, Series 1992, the Local Government Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act.”
Garcia had earlier issued a cease-and-desist order that sought the stopping of civil works on province-owned lots along Osmeña Boulevard.
The governor noted that the ongoing construction of the CBRT on portions of the buffer zones of the Cebu Provincial Capitol and Fuente Osmeña Circle could be a violation of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066).
In the complaint, Rama said he is frustrated with “the social disturbance, economic loss, and political turmoil brought about by Gov. Garcia.”
The mayor asked the President to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation in relation to the complaint he filed against the governor.
Rama also asked the President to preventively suspend Garcia “to prevent the usage of her office to influence witnesses or to frustrate her prosecution or to continue committing such malfeasance and/or misconduct in office.”
Garcia was attending an event in this city when she was asked to comment on Rama’s move against her. “As far as I’m concerned, no comment,” Garcia said.