Rama accuses Garcia of usurpation: Disbarment case looms

CEBU, Philippines — Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama has threatened to file a disbarment case against Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, accusing him of usurpation of authority and unlawful assumption of the mayoral post.

During a press conference on Wednesday, January 28, Rama claimed that Garcia assumed the role of mayor in a permanent capacity without the necessary legal documents and in violation of due process.

“Disbarment case in view of ignorance of the law excuses no one… there is no such thing as good faith… the law is very clear. I am still alive; I have already been over with my preventive suspension,” said Rama, reiterating his claim that he remains the duly elected mayor of Cebu City.

Rama, who was dismissed from service on October 3, 2024, on nepotism charges, insisted that his dismissal has not been properly served and is not yet final.

“Kinsa may naay kaso? Raymond Garcia, naay kaso. DILG, naay kaso,” said Rama, accusing both Garcia and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of procedural violations.

Rama asserted that Garcia had no legal right to take over the mayoral office, claiming the DILG’s order lacked finality and validity. He further accused Garcia of being misled into believing he was permanently installed as mayor.

“So at this point in time, he has no right to stand or to continue to be at City Hall,” Rama declared.

He claimed to be the duly elected and legitimate mayor of the city until his dismissal shall have become final.

“Is he (Garcia) a true mayor? Why is he being referred to as mayor, then every now and then I am being referred to as former mayor? How can I be a former? I am still alive,” said Rama.

Rama declared that he has already returned as the city mayor but without a physical office.

Rama’s legal counsel, former Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell, echoed these sentiments, stating that Garcia’s assumption of the mayoral post was not supported by proper documentation.

Rama announced that his legal team is already preparing the disbarment case, citing Garcia’s alleged violations of the law, including an earlier controversy where Garcia reportedly allowed a cockfighting derby at NuStar despite the Cebu City Council denying approval.

According to Rama, the alleged illegal cockfight shows that Garcia cannot continue as mayor because of his ignorance of the law. He also claimed that Garcia’s decisions undermine his standing as a lawyer, adding that the disbarment case has strong legal grounds.

Garcia dismissed Rama’s accusations and the threat of disbarment, saying he was simply following a DILG order to assume the mayoral post.

“Lahi man gud na ang mu file og kaso kay anyone can do so, pero og naa bay unod ang kaso, kana maoy dakong pangutana, in this instance, disbarment,” said Garcia.

Garcia stressed that he adhered to the law and his oath as both a lawyer and public servant when he assumed the role of mayor.

“So asa man didto dapita nga naka violate ko’s akong lawyer’s oath… everything I followed, where is the violation?” he said.

Garcia also suggested that Rama’s actions could be politically motivated, especially with the election season nearing. The mayor said his nemesis has all the right to file cases against him, but the real question is whether these cases hold merit.

The disbarment threat further highlights the growing rift between Rama and Garcia, who were once political allies during the 2022 elections. — (FREEMAN)