News

Criminal and administrative complaints have been filed against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell, Department of General Services (DGS) head Rolando Ardosa, and Local School Board (LSB) officer-in-charge Kristian Hassamal. The complaints were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over the use of a building owned by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) by Cebu City Hall.

The complainant, Jundel Bontuyan, filed the complaint on August 11, 2023. Bontuyan was the manager of the Cebu City Sports Center during the time of the late mayor Edgardo Labella. The complaint alleges that the officials violated Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as committed gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

According to the complaint, the MCWD-owned building was occupied by a retail store before it was opened as a satellite office by the Cebu City Government in July. The complaint argues that personnel from the LSB and DGS-Building Maintenance Section started working on the renovation of the building without a contract between MCWD and the City.

The complainant also alleges that the government funds and properties intended for the maintenance and repair of City Hall and public schools are being misappropriated and misused for the renovation of the building. The complaint argues that this violates Section 41 and 43 of Presidential Decree 447, which governs the use of revenue funds and appropriations.

The complaint further claims that the City’s actions also violated Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 9184, known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. The City’s use of the building without a contract is seen as a violation of the procurement rules.

If found guilty, the complainant seeks the preventive suspension and dismissal of the four respondents from public office, as well as the cancellation of their eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and disqualification for reemployment in the government service. The complainant argues that the actions of the City officials have tarnished the image and integrity of their public office.

The post Criminal and Administrative Complaints Filed Against Cebu City Mayor and Officials appeared first on ISP Today.