Juanito Victor C. Remulla
DILG Secretary

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) wishes to clarify and categorically deny the misleading claims published in the article, “DILG denies implementing dismissal order vs. Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama” by Abogado.com.ph, which inaccurately portrays the Department’s stance and actions regarding the case involving Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

In a letter dated October 18, 2024, Atty. Joshua L. Monsanto of RBTA Law requested documents regarding the implementation of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Decision dated September 9, 2024, in the case entitled “Jonel B. Saceda a.k.a. Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña vs. Michael L. Rama (Mayor, Cebu City).”

In response thereto, the Department informed Atty. Monsanto that it is not privy to the implementation of the said decision considering that the September 9, 2024 Ombudsman Decision does not contain a directive for implementation. Meanwhile, the Department advised Atty. Monsanto to coordinate directly with the Office of the Ombudsman for his request considering that it was the Office of the Ombudsman which implemented its Decision. After verifying that the Decision had been implemented, the Department, through the Regional Director, facilitated the assumption to office of the Vice Mayor.

For the information of the public, the Department’s authority to implement Ombudsman decisions arises when we are specifically directed to implement the same pursuant to Section 7, Rule III of [Ombudsman Rules of Procedure] in relation to Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2006 dated 11 April 2006.

Thus, not all decisions of the Ombudsman are implemented by the Department. The Ombudsman has the authority and discretion to implement its own decisions which is what happened in the instant case. In other words, the fact that the Department is not privy to the implementation of the Decision dated September 9, 2024 does not automatically mean that said Decision was not implemented.

The Department assures the public that it is committed to transparency, due process, and accountability in the implementation of its mandates. We encourage the media and the public to verify information from credible sources and refrain from spreading misinformation that may mislead the public or cause undue confusion.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-PRESS-STATEMENT-ON-THE-CASE-INVOLVING-CEBU-CITY-MAYOR-MICHAEL-RAMA/NC-2024-1140