Cebu Metropolis Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia mentioned one doable motion, although not but definitive, is to file carnapping prices in opposition to dismissed Mayor Michael Rama if he refuses to return the government-issued car. | CDN Picture/ Pia Piquero
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Dismissed Cebu Metropolis Mayor Michael Rama could face carnapping prices if he continues to refuse to return a government-issued car past town’s set deadline to have it again.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia cited this chance on February 21 as Rama nonetheless had not returned the federal government car to metropolis corridor.
Garcia confirmed that the Cebu Metropolis Authorized Workplace (CLO) is reviewing doable authorized actions in opposition to Rama, together with a case of carnapping, as outlined below Republic Act No. 6539, or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.
Underneath this legislation, carnapping is the taking of a motorcar belonging to a different, with out consent, and with intent to achieve.
Authorities van nonetheless in Rama’s possession
As of seven:20 p.m. on February 21, the Cebu Metropolis authorities confirmed that the Toyota Hiace Tremendous Grandia, a city-issued 14-seater van price P3 million, remained in Rama’s possession.
That is regardless of a requirement letter issued on February 19, giving him 24 hours to return the car. The deadline lapsed on February 20 with out compliance from Rama.
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Garcia mentioned town authorities would take mandatory authorized steps if Rama wouldn’t return the car.
“The Metropolis Authorized Workplace ought to give suggestions, however this didn’t come from me. Certainly one of their choices is to file a case of carnapping, similar to what occurred to Mayor Tommy [Osmeña] earlier than. However I don’t know if they’ll go that far. They should examine the choices, however undoubtedly, prison and civil instances will likely be on the desk,” Garcia mentioned.
The mayor referenced a 2019 case when the Prison Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) thought-about submitting carnapping prices in opposition to former Mayor Tomas Osmeña over the alleged unlawful impoundment of a police officer’s bike.
Rama’s outburst at Metropolis Corridor
The controversy escalated on February 21 when Rama stormed Cebu Metropolis Corridor and confronted Metropolis Authorized Officer Santiago Ortiz Jr. over the retrieval order.
He lashed out in opposition to Garcia’s administration, calling the demand letter an act of “tyranny and oppression.”
“[This] is oppression. [This] is tyranny. It’s an abuse of authority, hangtod ang akong sakyanan ipauli,” Rama mentioned. “Nagtuo mo nga sayon kaayo nga inig mata nimo [makabasa ka sa newspaper]. Maypa gipa-leave ko nila. Maypa gipatay na lang ko nila. Ila nana!”
([This] is oppression. [This] is tyranny. It’s an abuse of authority, even my car, it must be returned. They imagine that it’s straightforward to get up [then you read in the newspaper]. It is perhaps higher in the event that they ask me to go on go away. It will be straightforward if they might simply kill me. That will likely be on them.)
Contained in the CLO workplace, Rama personally demanded Ortiz to elucidate who approved the demand letter.
“Take a look at my eyes. I’ve not accomplished something unsuitable. Katong inyong gisulat, balihon kuno to nato. You’re a lawyer—why, in heaven’s identify, would you do that? Who directed you?” Rama requested.
(Take a look at my eyes. I’ve not accomplished something unsuitable. The one you wrote, how about we reverse the state of affairs. You’re a lawyer–why in heaven’s identify, would you do that? Who directed you?)
Ortiz calmly responded, “The mayor… I’m simply doing my job. It was said within the letter that it was on behalf of the Cebu Metropolis authorities. Don’t take it personally.”
Nonetheless agitated, Rama insisted that he remained the rightful mayor.
“My presence right here is to make it clear: I’m asserting I’m the mayor,” he mentioned.
Authorized actions underway
The Cebu Metropolis authorities first demanded the return of two automobiles on October 18, 2024: the Toyota Hiace Tremendous Grandia and a Toyota Yaris Cross. Whereas Rama’s camp surrendered the Yaris Cross final week, the van remained in his possession.
After repeated failed retrieval makes an attempt, the Division of Normal Providers (DGS) escalated the matter to the CLO, resulting in the most recent demand letter signed by all metropolis attorneys.
With Rama’s continued defiance, town is getting ready to file each civil and prison instances in opposition to him. If a carnapping case is pursued, it may result in extreme authorized repercussions, together with prison legal responsibility.
“If he fails to conform, town will take authorized motion,” the CLO reiterated.
Garcia’s stand
In a separate press convention on Friday, Garcia maintained that every one city-owned automobiles in Rama’s possession should be returned.
“A personal particular person can’t use authorities property, particularly for personal functions. We’re very strict about this. I cannot permit it,” he mentioned.
Garcia clarified that whereas a carnapping case can be one doable authorized avenue, the precedence would stay the peaceable and authorized retrieval of the car.
“My directive is to get better the car however not forcibly. We should undergo correct authorized channels,” he mentioned.
Regardless of repeated notices, Rama has refused to acknowledge the validity of the demand letter, sustaining that he stays the duly elected mayor.
Nonetheless, in September 2024, the Ombudsman dismissed him from workplace on nepotism and grave misconduct prices. Only in the near past, his enchantment was denied, upholding his disqualification.
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