Suspended Cebu City mayor faces nepotism raps

Mayor Michael Rama —NESTLE SEMILLA

CEBU CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman has found sufficient basis to file charges of nepotism against suspended Cebu City Michael Rama for allegedly appointing his two brothers-in-law as casual employees of city government.

The antigraft office described as “unsubstantiated” Rama’s claims that he was “surreptitiously made to sign” the plantilla of casual appointments for Elmer Gimenez Mandanat and Gomer Gimenez Mandanat.

Rama, who was placed under preventive suspension for six months in May for allegedly not providing some City Hall employees with their salaries, would ask the antigraft office to reconsider its decision.

READ: Rama to challenge Ombudsman ruling on nepotism case

Rama is facing charges of violating Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as his appointment of his two brothers-in-law clearly constituted nepotism, the Office of the Ombudsman said.

“The plantilla of casual appointments, indicating on their faces the full names of Elmer and Gomer, their position titles, and periods of employment, among others, obviously show that Elmer and Gomer’s appointments were nepotistic. It is therefore established that their appointments by respondents are prohibited nepotistic appointments,” it said.

The decision was signed by Myra Nimfa Solidum-Mendieta, graft investigation and prosecution officer, on July 31, 2024. It stemmed from the complaint filed by Jonel Saceda on Feb. 28, 2023.

Elmer and Gomer are brothers of Marilou Gimenez Mandanat Rama, whom Rama married on Oct. 28, 2021.

Documents from the Human Resource and Development Office (HRDO) of the Cebu City government showed that Rama appointed Elmer as process server under the Office of the Mayor from Jan. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022.

Rama also appointed Gomer as administrative aide III (laborer II) under the Cebu City Medical Center during the same period.

Seeking reconsideration

Rama told antigraft investigators that he was “maliciously misled” by the HRDO into signing the appointments of Elmer and Gomer.

But the Ombudsman responded that Rama was expected to “exercise due diligence” in performing his duties and exercise a higher degree of circumspection.

Lawyer Joselito Baena, a member of Rama’s legal team, said they would seek reconsideration after receiving a copy of the Ombudsman’s resolution on Sept. 23.

“We are ready to take this latest resolution head-on, and we are confident that Mayor Rama will attain justice,” said Baena.

Rama, he said, would still file his certificate of candidacy next week, saying the latest action of the Office of the Ombudsman would not affect his bid to run for mayor.