Rama’s barangay cap allies say suspension is ‘anti-Cebu’

An hour after  the 60-day preventive suspension order was posted on the mayor’s office door,  the documents were ripped off by City Hall lawyers.

However, the removal was not an act of defiance.

They explained that they have to use the official copy in seeking legal remedies.

They need to attach it to their pleadings when they go to court to challenge the order, most likely a petition for certiorari with injunction and a temporary restraining order.

Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera says he and other allies of Mayor Michael Rama worry about the “void” left by his forced 60-day absence. Sympathetic barangay captains held a press conference in the mayor’s office in City Hall.

Mayor Michael Rama’s legal advisers are weighing whether to seek relief from the Court of Appeals, and have a choice of filing action in Cebu or in Manila.

Either way, the process will not be quick, and a decision may take weeks  and requires the consensus of not one, but three justices of a division of the CA.

Rama spent most of yesterday at  his residence in the Rama Compound where he met with allied barangay captains.

He did not grant interviews.  He told reporters he would give a  press conference later today.

Philip Zafra, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), said more than 60 captains went to the Rama compound.

Zafra said the ABC would issue a manifesto of support for Rama  but will not encourage holding rallies or protest actions.

The mayor remained “cool” during their meeting and reminded the barangay captains to continue the city’s different activities for Christmas and that the suspension order should not be a cause for disunity, said Tinago barangay captain Joel Gargaenra.

At City Hall, it looked like business as usual with work proceeding normally. There were no barricades or protest action by employees and supporters.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said people had long been hearing rumors about a suspension order coming down and were not as shocked.

“For us, it won’t make any difference. The different departments clearly know to do  to provide the needed services. We will just consider it like the official trips of the mayor and he’s not here in the city. The delivery of basic services will not be hampered,” she said.

Mercado said she believes the suspnesion order was politically motivated but that she was not really dismayed by the development.

Several barangay captains allied with the mayor went to City Hall to express their support for Rama.

In a press conference in the mayor’s office,  Garganera of barangay Tinago called the suspension “anti-Cebu” and said Rama’s absence would have impact in important city-wide events.

“It’s December. There are a lot of events. To top it all, there are preparations for Sinulog and the International Eucharistic Conference  where the mayor is at the helm in preparations. Taking  him out , haw-an sa amo (there’s a void).

“This is an anti-Cebu decision from the national government. Wa mi mahimuot sa ilang gibuhat (We are not happy with what they did). This is anti-Cebu, this is anti-us,” said Garganera.

ABC president Zafra said they believe the mayor’s didn’t do anything wrong by ordering the demolition of the Labangon barangay road divider because it posed a safety hazard for motorists.

Hee said the mayor’s political opponents have more serious cases still unresolved in the Ombudmsan’s Office such as the complaint filed by Rama against against former mayor Tomas Osmena questioning his personal use of two Dodge Charger cars donated by an American businessman.

An Ombudsman’s order for dismissal from public service against south district Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa also hasn’t been implemented.

PERMIT

In contrast, barangay captains allied with Osmena also gathered in the barangay hall of Labangon to support Buendia.

Buendia said like him,  other barangay captains are looking for ways to develop their areas even without the mayor’s support.

His lawyer Benjamin Miliatar, who is also legal counsel for Osmena, was present, along with  Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon, Tony Avila of barangay Kamagayan, Gremar Barete of barangay Buhisan, and barangay captains from Kinasang-an and Talamban.

“Mike Rama is not Cebu. He is the mayor. I’m only protecting the assets of barangay Labangon that he demolished,”said Buendia in reaction to Garganera’s statement that the order is anti-Cebu.