by: Nino Aclan

JUSTICE!

This is the cry and call of Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama regarding the case filed against him without sufficient basis, and up to now, the government has not taken any action on it.

Rama is puzzled because despite being accused and the Court issuing an order for his suspension, he has not yet received a copy of the complaint and decision.

Rama emphasized that his lawyers have attempted several times to obtain a copy of the complaint and decision at the Ombudsman’s office in Manila and their region, but they have not been provided with a copy.

“It seems like I am the only one being accused without even knowing and clearly understanding the accusations against me and the decision against me, especially since several months have passed since the decision to suspend me was made,” Rama said.

In relation to this, Rama called on politicians like him who are victims of injustice in the country to come together and file a lawsuit to hold accountable those behind the lack of justice against them.

Rama refused to directly state that he is a victim of political persecution, but in his words, it seems like he is indeed a victim.

Rama is an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and after attending a gathering of Duterte supporters at a prayer rally in Davao, the Ombudsman’s decision to suspend him for six months due to non-payment of salaries to some Cebu City employees was issued.

Rama did not want to link all his alliances to the Dutertes, but he hopes to achieve justice in the end. Rama assured that his legal team will do everything possible to prove his innocence against the accusations.

Meanwhile, Rama is willing to comply with the decision of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) to appoint Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte as the Acting President while he is suspended.

According to Rama, he is ready to turn over all documents and finances of the organization to Belmonte.

Rama also has no intention of questioning the decision of the National Executive Board of the LCP because he does not want to add to the many problems the country is facing that are more important for the citizens.

Rama also admitted that this decision of the LCP has helped him focus more on the case filed against him. In connection with this, Rama also assured that he is still willing to run in the 2025 national and local elections and will file his certificate of candidacy (COC) this October.

Finally, Rama stated that he will consult the people of Cebu City if they still want him to serve as their mayor or not.

And if that moment comes as a signal for him to run for a higher position, such as senator, he will do so.

However, for now, Rama does not want to discuss this as it is still too early, and he wants to focus on the case filed against him.