Rama asks Ombud update on Dodge car case against Tomas

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña shows the repainted Dodge Charger donated by Bigfoot Entertainment chairman Michael Gleissner. On the left is the same car that used to be a police car. (CDN FILE PHOTOS)

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for updates on the complaint he filed against former city mayor and congressman Tomas Osmeña nearly three years ago.

Rama said he received information that the Ombudsman-Visayas concluded their investigation on the complaint since December 2013.

In 2012, Rama filed a complaint against Osmeña for receiving two Dodge Charger police cars that was donated by Bigfoot Entertainment chairman Michael Gleissner for his personal use during his tenure in Congress.

Rama said it violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Bigfoot was among the first investors in Cebu City’s South Road Properties (SRP) in 2007 during Osmeña’s mayoral term.

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, “any gift, gratuity and favor” from any person in the course of their official duties.

In yesterday’s press conference, Rama said he wants an update on the case because his critics are finding fault with his administration.

He accused Osmeña of having a hand in the complaint filed by lawyer Reymelio Delute against him, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and some councilors at the Office of the President.

The administrative case stemmed from the P20,000 calamity assistance approved by the council for officials and its over 4,000 employees affected by the October 15, 2013 earthquake and supertyphoon Yolanda.

“I should also remind the Commission on Audit (COA), to go back to the time when my predecessor was in power. Did he really have the money? Or is it just being presented? There were issues on kiting of money or juggling before,” he told reporters.