Tension erupted at Cebu City Hall as suspended officials entered the premises without a permit and held a press conference on Friday morning, November 8, 2024.
At around 9 a.m., supporters of dismissed Mayor Michael Rama gathered at Senior Citizens Park, in front of the Cebu City Executive Building, to rally for his return to office.
Around 50 individuals, most of them vendors, joined the protest, carrying placards and banners reading “Fake Mayor” in reference to incumbent Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and “Bring back Mayor Rama.”
By 10 a.m., Rama’s legal counsel, including Atty. Ernesto Rama, Atty. Collin Rosell, and Atty. Homer Cabaral, held a press conference inside the Mayor’s Office conference room despite Rama’s official dismissal.
The legal team announced plans to file corruption charges against Garcia, City Administrator Kristine Batucan, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Visayas (DILG-7) Regional Director Leocadio Trovela.
Suspended City Administrator Atty. Collin Rosell, who is also part of Rama’s legal team, attempted to return to his office but was denied entry.
Tensions escalated as Rama’s supporters demanded access to the office, leading to a heated standoff with officials.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia stated that the protest was baseless, adding that the initial press conference in the mayor’s office was unauthorized and held without a permit.
He emphasized that his position as mayor was legitimate and backed by a formal mandate from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).