Photo credit: Cebu PIO

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama finds himself at the center of controversy as the Office of the Ombudsman has issued a six-month preventive suspension against him. The suspension stems from allegations of failing to pay salaries to certain City Hall employees for a period exceeding six months.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires presented a 10-page resolution outlining the grounds for Mayor Rama's preventive suspension. The charges include accusations of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, among others.

As per the resolution, Mayor Rama is not the sole figure facing suspension. Seven other city hall officials have also been included in the order. The named officials are lawyer Collin Rossell, Maria Theresa Rossell, Francis May Jacaban, Angelique Cabugao, Jay-Ar Pescante, Lester Joey Beniga, and Nelyn Sanrojo.

In light of Mayor Rama's suspension, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia is poised to assume leadership at the Cebu City Hall in an acting capacity. The implementation of the suspension will be overseen by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.