DILG serves Rama’s suspension order

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) regional director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos (2nd from right) and Atty. Aiza Fiel A. Arcenal-Nogra taped copies of the two months preventive suspension order at the glass door of Cebu City mayor Michael Rama’ office after the mayor’s staff refused to receive it. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The 60-day suspension order for Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama was served past 10 a.m. today in City Hall.

A copy was taped outside the glass door of his office by Regional Director Rene Burdeos of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7.

Copies of the preventive suspension order were taped to the glass door of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s office. (CDN PHOTO/ JOSE SANTINO BUNACHITA)

Mayor Rama wasn’t in.

Rama just got back from an official trip to Paris but hasn’t reported to City Hall yet. He is still officially on leave.

Burdeos said starting today, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella will sit as acting mayor.

“It’s okay (even if Rama is not in his office). The rules of court allow that if he’s not there or if he doesn’t receive the order, we can tender it to his staff. And if they don’t receive it, we can post it in his office which we did. It’s still a valid service,” Burdeos said.

Labella will take over as as acting mayor to ensure the city government functions smoothly.

The preventive suspension, which is not a penalty, arises from an ongoing administrative complaint filed by Labangon barangay captain Victor Buendia over the 2014 demolition of a center island and lighting project in the barangay.

Burdeos said his office received the official copy of the order last night .

“As recommended by the DILG, respondent Mayor Michael L. Rama, Cebu City, is hereby placed under preventive suspension for a period of 60 days, effective upon receipt of this Order, pending investigation of the charges filed against him,” read the four-page order.

City hall lawyer Carl Sasuman and protocol officer Leslie Ann Reyes ripped off the copies as they will need it as attachment to their petition for certiorari.

It was  signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.

City hall lawyer Carl Sasuman and lawyer and protocol officer Leslie Ann Reyes ripped off the taped copies of the order at around 11:30 a.m.

Burdeos told Cebu Daily News that he was told that the City Hall lawyers had to rip off the copies because they will need to attach it to their petition for certiorari.

“That’s okay because they had a valid reason. My staff also told me that someone from the City Hall called up our office to ask for a certified true copy of the order. We will send them,” he said.