Unperturbed by cases from MCWD, CPA: Rama eyes countersuit

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said he is only exercising his “power as city mayor” provided in the Local Government Code when City Hall officials and employees forced their way into Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) premises last April 1 and April 16, respectively.

This is after CPA and MCWD officials separately filed numerous complaints against him and a few Cebu City department heads last Monday.

The mayor also ordered that all City Hall lawyers be gathered because he and the City Government would file countercharges soon. He, however, did not divulge what complaints they would file and against whom.

 "Magpusot-pusot sad mi og file og kaso uy," Rama said.

 "Mutingog lang ta ug mubarog.... The era of submission, which is calculated, have reached to a point of which we have to be more…ginganlan nato og resolute, bold, firm, intelligent," he added.

In his online program “Ingna’ng Mayor” today, the mayor said he remains to have a “bright disposition" despite facing complaints for grave misconduct, oppression and grave abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, conduct unbecoming of a public official, violation of Republic Act (RA) 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) by the MCWD Board of Directors led by Attorney Jose “Joey” Daluz III and General Manager Edgar Donoso.

 The same day, the CPA also filed complaints for oppression, misconduct, negligence, and abuse of authority after the mayor allegedly encroached on CPA's jurisdiction, ignored its authority, and disobeyed a court injunction.

 The MCWD complaints were filed before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 and addressed to the Office of the President while that of CPA were brought before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

In their complaints, Daluz and Donoso also named City Administrator Collin Rosell, Budget Officer Jerone Castillo, who both are lawyers; City Legal Officer Vincent Carlo Gimena; Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Harold Alcontin, and Cebu City Traffic and Transportation Office (CCTO) Head Raquel Arce as respondents.

 "I am only exercising as mayor…. Number two, I'm only exercising (my power) as mayor about MCWD…, I am only exercising (my power) as mayor about the Chicken Pork Adobo (CPA)," Rama said.

As for the other Cebu City Hall executive officials who were likewise sued, he said they should expect him not to leave them.

 Daluz had previously said that they were filing the complaints against Rama following an alleged video footage that they obtained that Rama was the one who gave orders for City Hall employees to break inside the MCWD building last April 16.

Rama, however, refused to answer the matter and simply reiterated that all moves made were all in accordance with his authority as mayor of the city.

 "Supported by the constitution, which is promoting autonomy,” he said.

 "Wala mi nagpataka og hasmag uy," he added.

 In the same program, he also directed City Administrator Collin Rosell to convene all the lawyers in Cebu City Hall as he would seek their help on the matter.(CEBU NEWS)