Rama receives 2nd dismissal order

CEBU CITY — Dismissed Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, who is running for mayor again in the May 12 polls, has been discharged from government service for the second time in less than six months.

This time, the Office of the Ombudsman found Rama guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service over the awarding of post-typhoon garbage collec-tion contracts without public bidding.

The ruling, dated Jan. 3, 2025, also dismissed five members of the city's Bids and Awards Com-mittee (BAC): Liezl Jacobe Calamba, Lyndon Bernardo Jao Basan, Conrado Acha Ordesta III, James Ponce and Dominic Amigable Diño.

The case stemmed from the procurement of garbage collection and disposal services in the af-termath of Typhoon Odette in December 2021.

The city government entered into negotiated procurement contracts with Jomara Konstruckt Corp., ACM Hauling Services and ARN Central Waste Management Inc., amounting to more than P44 million.

The BAC recommended these contracts, citing the urgency of waste disposal in a calamity situ-ation. Rama authorized an additional P12.83-million deal with ACM.

Despite invoking emergency provisions under Republic Act 9184, the Ombudsman ruled that the respondents violated procurement laws.

The decision pointed out that emergency procurement still required compliance with proper procedures such as revising the Annual Procurement Plan and following formal recommenda-tions, steps that were not taken.

Jundel Bontuyan, who filed the complaint in August 2023, claimed the contracts were awarded without due process and competitive bidding.

The Ombudsman upheld this argument, emphasizing that transparency and fairness in govern-ment transactions must be maintained even during emergencies.

This marks Rama's second dismissal after the Ombudsman ordered his removal from office on Oct. 3, 2024, for nepotism and grave misconduct over the appointment of his wife's brothers as casual employees.

Rama's legal counsel, Collin Rosell, maintained that the ruling does not affect the former mayor's bid for public office.

Rosell said that only a final judgment with a penalty of perpetual disqualification can bar a can-didate from running.

He also noted that the Supreme Court had issued a temporary restraining order against a Commission on Elections resolution that could have impacted Rama's candidacy.

The Ombudsman's dismissal order is immediately executory but may be appealed before the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court.