DISMISSED Cebu City mayor Michael Rama on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, demanded that Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia step down after the removal of his portraits from City Hall.
Rama returned to City Hall and expressed dismay over the removal of his portraits from the gallery of incumbent and former city mayors on the fourth floor of the legislative building.
Near the center stairs of the fourth floor, Rama pointed to Garcia’s portrait and accused the sitting mayor of attempting to erase his legacy.
“I am okay if his portraits were labeled as the ‘fake mayor,’ ‘acting mayor.’ But replacing my portraits is not okay as I am still alive,” Rama said.
Garcia’s promise
In a separate interview, Garcia said he was unaware of the removal of Rama’s portraits, stating that the City Council is responsible for displaying the images of the incumbent mayor and past local chief executives.
“But his picture must be there. That is my stand as a former or past mayor. There was a picture of my daddy [former mayor Alvin Garcia], mayor [Edgardo] Labella and [former mayor] Tomas Osmeña. Why not him?” he said.
Garcia promised that Rama’s portraits will be returned alongside those of former mayors.
Seeking clarification, Rama went to the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretariat to ask about the removal but received no response.
Rama’s visited the City Hall after the City Legal Office (CLO) issued a demand letter requiring him to return a city-owned vehicle assigned to him during his term. The letter gave him until Friday to return the vehicles or face legal action.
Rama toured the reporters around City Hall, highlighting his accomplishments and the contributions of his grandfather, former mayor Vicente Rama. He pointed out the furniture, paintings and decorations bought during his administration, and criticized Garcia for allegedly taking credit for projects he initiated.
The former mayor also attempted to enter the Community Hall on the ninth floor but found it padlocked. He then proceeded to the mayor’s office lobby, where he demanded access to his former office, saying his personal belongings were still inside.
Challenge
Rama said his visit was intended to seek peace, not cause disruption. But he challenged Garcia to step down, claiming he was better suited to address the city’s problems.
For his part, Garcia said Rama’s presence in the City Hall did not disrupt the operations, saying the building is always open to the public.
Garcia said his accession as full-fledged mayor on Oct. 9, 2024, followed due process after the Department of the Interior and Local Government administered his oath following Rama’s dismissal.
In his eight months in office, Garcia said he has achieved significant progress, including resolving pending issues in the City Government and smoothing out differences with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District to improve the water supply in mountain barangays.
“The former mayor and I have opposing views. I, for one, am a mayor who likes to see things get done. I prefer less talk and more action. I don’t just focus on papers, programs and projects. I make sure things are getting done,” Garcia said. (EHP)