Jonel Saceda, alias “Inday Josa Chongbian Osmeña,” files a nine-page complaint against Mayor Michael Rama before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, January 24, 2023. | Contributed photo
UPDATED
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is facing administrative and criminal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas after he was accused of nepotism, grave misconduct, and violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices act, among others.
A concerned citizen named Jonel Saceda, with an alias “Inday Josa Chongbian Osmeña,” sued Rama for alleged nepotism, grave misconduct, and graft and corruption after the mayor hired his wife’s two brothers to work under casual employment for the Cebu City Government.
Sought for his reaction, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he has not received yet a copy of the complaint, and that he already referred it to his legal team.
“I have not received yet the pleading. Number 2, I am bringing it, being a legal matter, and I am already endorsing it to my, now, the officer-in-charge, Atty. Collin Rosell,” he told CDN Digital in a phone interview. Rosell is also the executive secretary of the mayor.
In his complaint-affidavit, Saceda maintained that after Rama’s election and assumption as mayor of Cebu City, he appointed his brother-in-law, Elmer Gimenez Mandanat, as process server under the Office of the Mayor for the period of July 1, 2022 until December 30, 2022.
He also appointed his brother-in-law, Gomer Gimenez Mandanat, as administrative aide III under the Cebu City Medical Center for the period of July 1, 2022 until December 31, 2022.
Saceda maintained that the two younger brothers of the mayor’s wife is also Mayor Rama’s third degree relation by affinity or by marriage.
Saceda noted that the appointments were done after the October 28, 2021 wedding of the mayor and his wife, Marilou Gimenez Mandanat-Rama.
Saceda attached in his affidavit a copy of the plantilla of the casual appointments of the Office of the Mayor and the Cebu City Medical Center.
He said these appointments are within the prohibition specifically provided under Sec. 9 of CSC MC No. 40 s. of 1998, Section 59 of the Administrative Code of 1987, and Sec. 79 of RA 7160.
/bmjo
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