![]() | This biographical article is written like a résumé .(September 2016) |
Mike Rama | |
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Mayor of Cebu City | |
In office November 20, 2021 –May 8, 2024 Suspended: since May 8, 2024 | |
Vice Mayor | Dondon Hontiveros (2021–2022) Raymond Alvin Garcia (2022–present) |
Preceded by | Edgardo Labella |
Succeeded by | Raymond Alvin Garcia (Acting) |
In office June 30,2010 –May 17,2016 Suspended:December 11,2015 –February 8,2016 | |
Vice Mayor | Joy Young (2010–2013) Edgardo Labella (2013–2016) |
Preceded by | Tomas Osmeña |
Succeeded by | Margarita Osmeña (acting) |
Vice Mayor of Cebu City | |
In office June 30,2019 –November 19,2021 | |
Mayor | Edgardo Labella |
Preceded by | Edgardo Labella |
Succeeded by | Dondon Hontiveros |
In office June 30,2001 –June 30,2010 | |
Mayor | Tomas Osmeña |
Preceded by | Renato V. Osmeña Sr. |
Succeeded by | Joy Young |
Member of the Cebu City Council from the 2nd district | |
In office June 30,1992 –June 30,2001 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Michael Lopez Rama October 28,1954 Cebu City,Philippines |
Political party | Barug (local;2012–present) PDP (national;2019–present) |
Other political affiliations | BO-PK (1992–2011) Liberal (2010–2012) UNA (2012–2019) |
Relations |
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Education | Velez College (BS) San Beda College (LL.B) |
Occupation |
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Michael Lopez Rama (born October 28, 1954) is a Filipino politician serving as Mayor of Cebu City since 2021, a position he previously held from 2010 to 2016. He served as the Vice Mayor of Cebu City from 2001 to 2010 and from 2019 to 2021, and was a member of the Cebu City Council from 1992 to 2001. He was elected the National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines in 2022.
Mike Rama graduated as class valedictorian in Basak Elementary School in Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City. He attended the University of Southern Philippines and earned a pre-med degree from Velez College. He went on for further graduate studies in law at San Beda College in Manila. Rama passed the bar exam in 1983. [1]
Rama started his political career as councilor of Cebu City for three successive terms from 1992 to 2001, filling in the slot of his uncle, Clemente "Cle" Rama, a veteran councilor, and leading the Committee on Education. In his third term, as the councilor who was the recipient of the most votes in the election, Rama became the first councilor that made him often assume the role as acting vice mayor and even as acting mayor. Also during his third term, he served as national president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL).
Thereafter, Rama served three consecutive terms as vice mayor of Cebu City from 2001 to 2010 with Tomas Osmeña as mayor, and was elected the national president of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP). [2]
Rama ran and won for the city mayorship in 2010, and was proclaimed as the twenty-seventh mayor of Cebu City, defeating former mayor Alvin Garcia. [3] Rama was re-elected as mayor for a second term in 2013, defeating his former ally and mayor Tomas Osmeña. A December 2014 essay by SunStar Cebu focused on the rivalry between Michael Rama and Tomas Osmeña in Cebu politics. Osmeña criticized Rama for assuming roles beyond a mayor's duties, like a fire-fighter and police officer. However, the essay also highlighted Osmeña's similar strategic image-building, projecting himself as a powerful political figure. The article emphasized that despite Osmeña's critique of Rama's multiple personas, both politicians crafted specific images to appeal to voters. [4]
In a July 2015 Facebook post, former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña criticized his erstwhile ally and political rival, Mayor Michael Rama, accusing Rama of mismanaging government funds and selling off valuable South Road Properties (SRP) lots, a project Osmeña initially conceptualized. Osmeña highlighted concerns about the depletion of City Hall funds under Rama's tenure, contrasting it with the substantial amount he purportedly left behind upon stepping down. [5]
In December 2015, Malacañang ordered a 60-day preventive suspension on Rama for his alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and oppression. [6] The suspension was in response to an administrative complaint filed by Barangay Labangon Chairperson Victor M. Buendia, alleging that Mayor Rama had unlawfully ordered the destruction of a center island and street lighting project funded and undertaken by the said Barangay without due process. The Office of the President determined that such actions were not justified as street lights and center islands are not nuisances, and their removal should have followed appropriate legal procedures. [7] Rama reported back to his office on February 8, 2016, as the 60-day suspension imposed on him by the Office of the President of the Philippines had ended. [8] Rama ran for a third and final consecutive term in 2016, but was defeated by Osmeña by a margin of 33,894 votes.
In August 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has mentioned former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama as one of the country's alleged drug protectors, along with other individuals, during an event. In response, Rama expressed his sadness over the accusation and stated his willingness to cooperate with authorities to clear his name. He emphasized his support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign and his family's commitment to being law-abiding citizens. Rama hoped for justice and truth to prevail. [9] Rama’s name was later removed from the list in 2019. Rama believed that the President was fed misinformation against him, leading to his inclusion on the initial "narcolist". [10]
In 2019, Rama returned to his former post as vice mayor of Cebu City, together with ally Edgardo Labella as mayor, defeating the incumbent Osmeña. [11] [12] Rama once again took oath as mayor on November 20, 2021, following the death of Labella the day before. [13] Rama retained his post as city mayor in 2022, defeating city councilors Margot Osmeña and Dave Tumulak.
In August 2022, Mayor Michael Rama had repeatedly expressed his vision of making Cebu City "Singapore-like" since taking office, inspired by a recent visit to Singapore. He emphasized the need for transformation and resilience, calling on various sectors, including the information technology and business process outsourcing sector, to work together for the city's development. However, there is a lack of specific goals and a clear roadmap for achieving this vision, leading to questions about what it means to be "Singapore-like" and the need for Cebu City to define its objectives more precisely. Critics argue that the city should set clear, measurable targets to determine if it achieves its goal of becoming "Singapore-like." [14]
Cebu Port Authority filed administrative complaints with the Office of the President of the Philippines against Rama. The action was anchored on “impermissible encroachment” on April 1, 2024, “deliberate and flagrant disregard” of its authority, and “obstinate disobedience and resistance” to an injunction from Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10. [15]
Metropolitan Cebu Water District's Chairman Jose Daluz III and General Manager Edgar Donoso, filed the complaints against Rama with the Office of the President through the DILG on April 29, 2024. City Administrator Collin Rosell, City Budget Officer Jerone Castillo, City Legal Officer Carlo Vincent Gimena, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Harold Alcontin and City Transportation Office head Raquel Arce were also charged before the Ombudsman of the Philippines for alleged “illegal entry” of the Cebu City personnel into the MCWD office. [16]
On May 7, 2024, Ombudsman Samuel Martires in a 10-page Order directed a 6-month preventive suspension of Rama and 7 other City officials. The case originated from alleged non-payment of salaries of 4 City Assessor's Office employees since July 2023. [17] The Court of Appeals of the Philippines in its May 17 Resolution dismissed Rama's certiorari for failure to file the required motion for reconsideration. [18]
Rama is a member of the Rama family, a prominent political family from Cebu City. He is the son of Fernando Rama, a former Cebu City councilor, and brother of Eduardo L. Rama, the former congressman and governor of Agusan del Norte. His nephew is Cebu City Congressman Edu Rama Jr., son of his late brother governor Eduardo Rama Sr. He has a daughter named Micheline F. Rama and son named Mikel F. Rama.
Other relatives include: His grandfather is Don Vicente Rama, senator, Cebu City 1st inaugural mayor, 1st national assemblyman, congressman, councilor and "The Father of Cebu City".
He is the nephew of Osmundo G. Rama, Governor of Cebu Province and of Commissioner Napoleon G. Rama, 1986 Constitutional Commission floor leader, Philippine Legion of Honor (Grand Commander) 26 February 2011 awardee.
Capt. George Rama is his first cousin, the Barangay Captain of Basak San Nicolas of Cebu City and in addition his first cousin is talent manager, celebrity businesswoman Annabelle Rama, the mother of Ruffa, Richard, and Raymond Gutierrez. [19]
The Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development Initiative, abbreviated as PROMDI or Abag-Promdi, is a political party in the Philippines based in Cebu.
Tomas dela Rama Osmeña, known as Tommy Osmeña, is a Filipino politician who served as the Mayor of Cebu City thrice: first from 1987 to 1995, again from 2001 to 2010, and lastly from 2016 to 2019. He also served as Congressman representing the second district of Cebu City from 2010 to 2013. He is a grandson of former Philippine President Sergio Osmeña.
Gwendolyn Fiel Garcia-Codilla is a Filipina politician serving as the governor of Cebu since 2019, a position she previously held from 2004 and 2013—being the first woman to hold that office. She was the representative of Cebu's 3rd congressional drict from 2013 to 2019 and concurrently served as a House Deputy Speaker from 2016 to 2018.
Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan, commonly known as BO–PK or BOPK, is a local political party based in Cebu City, Philippines. It is a political party run by the Osmeña family of Cebu since 1987 when Tomas Osmeña first ran for mayor of Cebu City. Although not a registered political party with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), it has been used by Osmeña and his allies since 1998 when he ran with Alvin Garcia as vice mayor.
Local elections were held in Cebu on May 13, 2013, within the Philippine general election. Voters will select candidates for all local positions: a town mayor, vice mayor and town councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the vice-governor, governor and representatives for the six districts of Cebu. Incumbent governor Gwendolyn Garcia is barred for seeking another term because she is limited to three terms only.
The Mayor of Cebu City is the chief executive of the government of Cebu City in the Philippines. The mayor leads the city's departments in executing ordinances and delivering public services. The mayorship is a three-year term and each mayor is restricted to three consecutive terms, totaling nine years, although a mayor can be elected again after an interruption of one term.
The Cebu City Council is the legislature of Cebu City, Philippines. The legislative body is composed of 18 councilors, with 16 councilors elected from Cebu City's two councilor districts and two elected from the ranks of barangay (neighborhood) chairmen and the Sangguniang Kabataan. The council's presiding officer is the vice-mayor. The council is responsible for creating laws and ordinances under the jurisdiction of Cebu City. Although the mayor can veto proposed bills, the council can override the veto with a two-thirds supermajority.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 13, 2019 within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city elected candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 9, 2016, within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city elected candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 13, 2013 within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city elected candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 10, 2010 within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city elected candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 14, 2001, within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city elected candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Rodrigo "Bebot" Abellana Abellanosa is a Filipino politician who served as the representative for the 2nd district of Cebu City from 2013 to 2022. He was a member of the Cebu City Council representing the 2nd district from 2004 to 2013, and was the barangay captain of Duljo Fatima, Cebu City from 1994 to 2004.
Edgardo Colina Labella was a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Cebu City from 2019 until his death in 2021. Prior to becoming mayor, he was the city's vice mayor from 2013 to 2019 and was a member of the Cebu City Council from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2004 to 2013.
Partido Barug, commonly known as BARUG, is a regional political party based in Cebu City, Philippines. Cebu City mayor Michael Rama is its founding president.
Local elections were held in Cebu City on May 9, 2022 within the Philippine general election. Registered voters of the city will be electing candidates for the following elective local posts: mayor, vice mayor, district representative, and eight councilors at-large for each district. There are two legislative districts in the city.
Alvin Biaño Garcia is a Filipino politician and lawyer who served twice as the Mayor of Cebu City from 1995 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2001. He served as the vice mayor of the said city from 1988 to 1995 alongside the mayor at the time: Tomas Osmeña. He is also the founder of Kugi Uswag Sugbo (KUSUG), a local political party based in Cebu City.
Ronald Regis Duterte was a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Cebu City from 1983 to 1986. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as the vice mayor of the said city from 1980 to 1983 and was a member of the City Council for three consecutive terms from 1963 to 1980.
Partido Panaghiusa, commonly known as Panaghiusa, is a local political party based in Cebu City, Philippines and was founded by then radio personality and politician Nenita Cortes-Daluz and was revived in March 2021 by her son, former Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III, who is currently serving as its party leader. It is allied with Partido Barug of incumbent mayor Michael Rama and Kugi Uswag Sugbo since 2021.
Margarita "Margot" Lim Vargas Osmeña is a Filipino politician who served as a member of the Cebu City Council from 2010 to 2019. She is married to former mayor of Cebu City Tomas Osmeña.