In a significant legal development, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has achieved a major victory in his ongoing political battles. The Sandiganbayan is expected to issue arrest warrants against eight former Cebu City officials, including his primary rival, former City Administrator Floro Casas Jr., in a case involving alleged padding of garbage collection charges.
Political Rivalry Comes to a Head
The conflict between Rama and Casas has deep roots in Cebu City politics. According to exclusive information from SunStar Public and Standards editor Pachico Seares, the arrest warrants are scheduled to be issued next week at the latest. This marks a turning point for Rama, who recently faced multiple legal setbacks, including his own dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public office.
The relationship between Rama and Casas was never friendly. Both men maintained a clear distrust of each other dating back to the 2019 elections when Rama reluctantly accepted the vice mayor position under Edgardo Labella. Casas and his City Hall colleagues were convinced that Rama would eventually challenge Labella's reelection bid in 2022.
The Feud Intensifies
Rama openly expressed his disappointment about playing second fiddle to his former vice mayor and soon found himself increasingly marginalized within the administration. He became more vocal in his criticism of Labella, culminating in a dramatic moment during a meeting with Manila officials assessing the local government's COVID-19 response.
Rama stood up to deplore the lack of leadership in Cebu City and suggested that then Governor Gwendolyn Garcia should take Labella's place. The fact that he made these comments in Labella's presence demonstrated how deeply the political divisions had grown.
When rumors circulated about Labella's serious illness, Rama publicly demanded that the mayor disclose his whereabouts and health status. Casas, being Labella's law partner and protege, took these attacks personally. The tension reached its peak during Labella's memorial service at City Hall after the mayor's death.
The Investigation and Legal Process
Rama filed his complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with NBI Regional Director Renan Oliva confirming that the mayor made frequent follow-ups on the case. Oliva explained that investigators needed extensive time to thoroughly examine the documents, which he described as "more than a sackload."
The NBI investigation team, led by Gregory Algoso Jr., conducted what appears to be a comprehensive examination. Their thorough work was reflected in the Ombudsman's decision to file cases against 11 of the 15 respondents, sparing only the four directors of the private contractor involved in the garbage collection case.
While Rama may have had personal motivations in pursuing charges against Casas, the Ombudsman found sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, indicating reasonable certainty of conviction. The upcoming Sandiganbayan decision will determine whether the court agrees with this assessment.
