DILG chief says Cebu City mayor did not have ‘outburst’ at main office

The Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) said on Wednesday that there is no truth to reports that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama had an “outburst” at the main office of DILG in Quezon City.

Although the DILG has yet to issue an official statement on Rama’s suspension, Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento clarified that the incident involving Rama at the DILG headquarters is not true.

“Mayor Rama was not in the central office for the past few days. Thanks,” Sarmiento said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

Rama, a former member of the Liberal Party who allied eventually with Vice President Jejomar Binay, was ordered suspended for 60 days by Malacañang over an alleged unlawful demolition in his city.

This was based on a complaint filed by Labangon barangay chairman Victor Buendia in October last year, saying Rama ordered the demolition of the projects in his village.

In an earlier Cebu Daily News report, it said the order will be served by the regional DILG office (DILG-7) in Cebu as soon as it receives the certified copy.

The report said the order is expected to arrive anytime tomorrow or on Friday.