Mayor Mike Rama on hot seat.

The Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) executes a suspension on Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, this upon order by Malacañang for the alleged destruction of local government projects in Labangon, Cebu City. DILG said the Office of the President on Dec. 2 ordered a preventive suspension for 60 days against Rama for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression. The order was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, who directed the DILG to implement immediately the preventive suspension of Rama pending the investigation of the charges filed against him.

Standing in front of hundreds of supporters at the Cebu City Hall grounds, Mayor Michael Rama said he would abide by the “hurting, disappointing and upsetting” order of the Office of the President. He said he is taking the proper legal processes to question this preventive suspension order. He also stated that he remained the duly elected mayor of the City of Cebu. “I will never abandon the people who elected me. I am still their mayor. I am still the people’s mayor.” The Cebuano community both in Government and in the private sector had mixed reactions. Some were jubilant while others were dismayed. Most of which were expressed on social media.

If I remember correctly the execution of preventive suspensions on government officials were common during the Cory Aquino administration especially during election time. I am not surprised that it has resurrected in this administration. I do not see anything wrong with suspending government officials if there is just cause and a need to investigate further; It is however strange to do so when it’s election season, no justifiable cause, and if the official being sanctioned belongs to the opposition. A preventive suspension pending investigation means guilt has not been established yet but in some cases it is made to come out like so and leaves doubt in peoples mind on the sincerity of this legal exercise.

#y101fm #alwaysfirst #hitlist #y101talks