CEBU CITY: The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of three counts of nepotism against suspended Mayor Michael Rama.
The anti-graft body found probable cause to indict Rama for three counts of nepotism or violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The case stemmed from a complaint that Rama allegedly hired his wife’s two brothers as casual employees at the Cebu City Hall.
‘Since the Certificates of Live Birth of Elmer and Gomer (Mandanat) show that they are siblings and younger brother of Marilou (Rama’s wife), it is therefore established that their appointments by respondents are prohibited nepotistic appointments,’ the Ombudsman said in its 15-page resolution.
The Ombudsman said the suspended mayor’s explanation that he was ‘surreptitiously made to sign the plantilla of casual appointments for Elmer and Gomer’ is ‘unsubstantiated.’
‘As discussed above, 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,’ the Ombudsman resolution further read.
Jonel Saceda, who adopts a name ‘Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña’ on Facebook, filed the complaint against the suspended mayor over the alleged nepotism, grave misconduct, and graft and corruption before the Ombudsman in Quezon City on January 24, 2023.
Rama, along with seven other city officials, including his city administrator and city assessor, is still serving a six-month preventive suspension until Oct. 9 over the alleged non-payment of salaries of several city hall employees.
Source: Philippines News Agency