RTC dismisses case vs Rama

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama’s camp felt seeing some light at the end of the tunnel as the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 ordered the permanently dismissal of a case filed against hi brothers-in-laws, Elmer and Gomer Mandanat, on falsification of documents in line with their employment in the Cebu City Hall.

“The dismissal was ordered after the Prosecution failed to present any evidence to support the complaint,” Atty. Mikel Rama of RBTA Law firm said in a statement.

The complaint was filed by Jonel Saceda a.k.a “Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña” on Facebook, the same person that filed nepotism case against Mayor Rama which also involved Elmer and Gomer Mandanat, brothers of Rama’s second wife, Malou.

“This decisive ruling reveals the truth: these cases against Mayor Rama and his family are nothing more than unfounded harassment suits, intended to damage reputations without any factual or legal basis,” said the younger Rama.

“With this ruling, we are reminded that justice prevails, even in the face of external pressures. We remain hopeful that the remaining baseless charges will soon be cleared, and Mayor Rama, along with his family, will emerge stronger. Light always shines upon the truth,” Mikel Rama added.

Lawyer Mae Laurenz Andrino, an associate of RBTA handling the case of the Mandanat brothers, in an interview with The Freeman, said that this was the second time that the hearing was set with the prosecution’s witness a no-show.

“The hearing earlier was actually the second time na-set siya for the presentation of the prosecution’s witness of the private complainant, si Jonel Salceda..And then he wasn’t there for the second time we decided to just move for the dismissal of the case on the ground of failure to prosecute on the prosecution’s side,” said Atty. Andrino.

“Eventually, the Judge (Anacleto Debalucos) granted our motion with no objection from the prosecution,” she added.

The written order of the dismissed case, however, is not yet available as off press time. — (FREEMAN)