Acting Cebu City mayor Margot Osmeña stops fund releases

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña has issued her first memorandum order as acting mayor after Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and 12 councilors was suspended Tuesday, May 17.

In her first memorandum order, Osmeña directed that issuance of checks and release of payments be stopped. She also told barangay captains and department heads to return all vehicles issued by the city government. (READ: Suspension order vs Cebu City mayor, 13 others served) 

“I will form a transition team for the smooth turnover of admin to my husband come June 30,” she said in an interview at her office Tuesday.

Her husband, Tomas Osmeña, was elected mayor of Cebu City, defeating Rama in the May 9 election with a margin of 34,036 votes.

Councilor Osmeña was not included in the suspension order against city hall officials as she abstained, along with Councilor Leah Japson, from voting on the supplemental budget that appropriated P83.5 million for the financial assistance of 4,200 officials and workers and city hall.

Also not included in the case were Richard Osmeña and James Cuenco, who were absent when the calamity assistance decision was made.

Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Visayas legal officer Aiza Nogra said Tuesday that Cuenco will serve as acting Cebu City vice mayor.

Nogra also asked Cebu City officials to respect the suspension order, which was signed by the Office of the President.

“It’s a legal order,” Nogra said.

The suspension order was issued despite the election ban on the suspension of elected official which is in effect until June 8. – Rappler.com

This article is republished under Rappler’s content sharing agreement with theSunStar network in the coverage of the 2016 national and local elections.