RAMA
IN his last prayer rally at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday, outgoing Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama told supporters that his suspension by the Office of the President was “adding insult to injury.”
“OSM or oppressed, suspended mayor. Si Mike Rama gitiwasan gyud (Michael Rama was finished),” said Rama who stood at the back of a pick-up vehicle as he asked supporters not to forget him in a rally held at the road right outside the cathedral after their Mass.
He recalled being in Ormoc City in Leyte when he heard about the suspension ordered against him, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and 12 city councilors last Tuesday.
Since then, he said the best thing for them to do was comply with the order.
Rama told his supporters last night that he is again using his brother’s car after being required to return his city government-issued vehicles due to his suspension.
He also said he asked his staff at the mayor’s office to start packing his stuff and belongings already.
“Yes (I ordered the packing). Why not? As I said, di man ko tawo nga atat na atat (I am not a person who’s overly eager). But there will always be judgment. There will always be justice that has to be granted,” he told reporters after his speech.
Rama said Labella and their lawyers are already in Manila to contest the suspension order against them.
Labella earlier said they would go back to the Court of Appeals to ask for an injunction and temporary restraining order.
Aside from the suspension order, Rama said his lawyers will also file his election protest with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila today which is also the last day of filing of protests.
In his speech to supporters, Rama still insisted that he won against his rival Tomas Osmeña who garnered a 34,000 vote margin.
He asked his supporters to continue their commitment to him and that he will still be around.
For now, the mayor said he will be going on a vacation.