Cebu City Hall saw an increased police presence starting Monday, aimed at maintaining order after former mayor Michael Rama tried to reassume his role. The situation intensified when Rama’s supporters protested after city traffic officials clamped his SUV, parked in a spot reserved for the mayor. Rama, who had been attending the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, left to address the media near Magellan’s Cross. Accompanied by his son Mikel and former city administrator Collin Rossel, Rama announced his plan to return to his mayoral duties following his six-month suspension. He also defended the practice of appointing family members to government jobs, a practice for which he was dismissed by the Ombudsman for allegedly hiring his wife’s brothers as casual city employees. Prior to his dismissal, Rama faced a 10-month suspension for not paying the salaries of four regular employees. Cebu City Police Director Col. Antonietto Cañete deployed riot police to secure the area around City Hall, stating that law violations would not be tolerated but peaceful gatherings would be respected. Tensions rose when Rama briefly entered City Hall before leaving through the back in a car driven by his son. Current Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who took over from Rama, expressed respect for his predecessor and maintained that they remain friends despite the circumstances.
