By John Rey Saavedra
CEBU CITY – Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Friday assured Cebuanos it is business as usual at the Cebu City Hall amid tensions following the insistence of the former city administrator to reclaim his post after his suspension lapsed.
“I don’t want any commotion or drama because I think it has been clear already, the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) has been very clear (about the suspension). Unless we get another decision coming from the Ombudsman or a regular court or the DILG. That is the only time that we will act accordingly,” Garcia said during a press conference in his office.
Before this, tensions flared up at the City Hall when dismissed Cebu City mayor Michael Rama and former city administrator Collin Rossel held a press conference in the building without permission.
Rossel even insisted on opening the office he previously held, saying he was there “to resume his post, as mandated by law.”
Rama’s supporters, meanwhile, gathered from across the Executive Building and held a rally, expressing their support for the return of the dismissed mayor.
Rossell said Rama would also re-assume his post as mayor as a sign of respect to the people of Cebu who voted for him.
Following the incident, Garcia directed Cebu City Police Director Antonietto Cañete to observe maximum tolerance to the officials and their supporters who want to come to the City Hall and express their freedom of speech.
Garcia, however, urged Rama and his group not to disrupt the operations of the City Hall.
“Again, I don’t want the services and the operations here disrupted. We are here to serve the public and the people. So my instruction and orders to the Civil Security Unit and the Philippine National Police is maximum tolerance. But please do not disrupt the services to the Cebuanos,” he added.
Garcia also said Rama’s camp is free to question the legitimacy of his post.
Meanwhile, Cañete advised Rama’s camp to follow the rule of law.
“We will maintain peace and order here, the observance of the rule of law and we must not allow any interference of the public service in the city government,” he said.
Rama, Rossel, and six other officials were ordered suspended by the Ombudsman over allegations of non-payment of 10 months’ salary of four employees. Their suspension ended on Nov. 1.
On Oct. 2, the Ombudsman also ordered Rama dismissed from service for alleged nepotism. (PNA)
