CEBU CITY – Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama simply could not catch a break.
Rama, still serving a six-month preventive suspension, has found himself in another legal battle after the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge him with three counts of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
RAMA (center). (FB)
The decision stemmed from Rama’s alleged illegal appointment of his two brothers-in-law to positions with the city government.
In 2023, Jonel Saceda, also known as Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña on Facebook, filed a complaint against Rama for alleged nepotism, grave misconduct, and graft and corruption before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City.
The Ombudsman, in a resolution, said that by appointing his brothers-in-law, Elmer and Gomer Gimenez Mandanat, to government positions, Rama “showed utter disregard of the law.”
Elmer and Gomer are brothers of Rama’s second wife, Marilou Gimenez Mandana Rama.
"Since the Certificates of Live Birth of Elmer and Gomer show that they are siblings and younger brothers of Marilou, it is therefore established that their appointments by respondent are prohibited nepotistic appointments," said a decision penned by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Myra Nimfa Solidum-Mendeita.
Elmer was appointed as process server in the Office of the Mayor, while Gomer served as an Administrative Aide III at the Cebu City Medical Center.
These appointments were made between January and December 2022.
The Ombudsman’s resolution added that the appointments were void “ab initio” (from the beginning) and, therefore, considered illegal.
The decision was confirmed by Rama in an interview with MyTVCebu.
“My lawyers are now handling it. But it is only probable. Good thing it did not say guilty,” Rama said.
Rama said the development will not affect his political plans next year.
“Tuloy ang laban!” Rama said.
Rama was suspended for six months last May in relation to a complaint filed by some City Hall workers before the Ombudsman. The complainants said that they were not paid with their salary after they were transferred to another department.