Rama sued for neglecting letter as Council defers budget for payment of Rallos lot

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama faces a new complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for neglecting a letter sent by one of the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos.

Lucina Rallos, a resident of Upper Tabok, Mandaue City, filed against Rama a complaint for violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Rallos, through her counsel, said she sent a letter dated July 21, 2010 addressed to Rama and received by the Office of the Mayor on July 23, 2010.

However, she said Rama “failed and refused to reply in writing” within the period prescribed by law.

Because of this, Rallos said Rama could be administratively and criminally liable.

“The undersigned is respectfully requesting the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct whatever proceedings is required by law, procedure, rules and regulations and hold the Mayor of Cebu City administratively and criminally liable,” read the complaint –affidavit from Lucina Rallos.

Rallos’ letter to Rama was about the judgment of the Court of Appeals (CA) on the case entitled “Lucina Rallos, et. al. vs. Honorable Geraldine Faith Econg, et. al.,” in which the CA required the Cebu City to pay them.

Rallos gave three options to the Cebu City to pay their total obligations worth P133,469,962.55, wherein the City is offered a discount of 20 percent, 15 percent or 10 percent.

In a related development, Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella pushed for the deferment until further notice of the wish of his fellow council members to include the payment to the Rallos heirs in the 2012 annual budget.

Labella said it is not prudent for the City Government to appropriate for the payment while there is a pending case in court.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao proposed a resolution requesting Rama to appropriate funds in the 2012 annual budget for the payment to the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos over the property used by the city as road-right-of-way. — (FREEMAN)