Palace suspends Cebu City mayor

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for 60 days for alleged violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression in connection with a demolition he ordered last year.

Rama is a member of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of presidential aspirant Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The suspension order was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on Dec. 2, a source from the Palace said.

In October last year, the Office of the President ordered Rama to submit his answer to the complaint filed by Labangon barangay chairman Victor Buendia in relation to the alleged unlawful demolition of the village’s center island and street lighting project along Katipunan street.

Based on the complaint, it was Rama who instructed the members of the city hall’s prevention restoration, order, beautification and enhancement team headed by Raquel Arce to demolish the project.

Buendia claimed that the P300,000 center island and street lighting project had the permission of the mayor himself even before it was constructed.

Rama is facing two administrative cases before the Office of the President, including the one filed by lawyer Reymelio Delute in connection with the granting of P20,000 calamity aid to each of the 4,200 officials and employees of the city last December.

State auditors had declared that the granting of the calamity assistance was highly irregular.

Rama left the Liberal Party in 2012 to join UNA. He is a cousin of movie actress Annabelle Rama.