A RESIDENT of Barangay Talamban is seeking the disqualification of Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia just days before the May 12 midterm elections, alleging illegal use of government resources.
This is the first disqualification case against Garcia since the Ombudsman dismissed all eight cases questioning his assumption as mayor of Cebu City.
Garcia assumed as acting mayor when former mayor Michael Rama was preventively suspended for six months on May 8, 2024. He was installed as full-fledged mayor on Oct. 3, 2024, when Rama was dismissed from service due to nepotism and grave misconduct charges.
The petition alleges that Garcia distributed rice and used City Hall assets for campaigning during the election period.
Analiza Pilones Maglasang, a registered voter and resident of Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Garcia or, if he wins, nullify his election.
The petition alleges violations of Section 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits the release and disbursement of public funds for social welfare projects during the campaign period.
Garcia, in a phone interview, dismissed the petition as politically motivated, aimed at undermining his mayoral bid.
He noted its release just days before the election, citing his lead in recent surveys, including the “Voters’ Preference and Perspectives Survey for Cebu City” by the University of San Carlos (USC) and the Boses ng Bayan survey by the RP-Mission Development Foundation Inc.
He also questioned the petition’s circulation in media, noting it was unsigned and unfiled.
“Why are we giving it so much importance and significance… pero sige nalang ning gawas naman na sa media,” Garcia said.
Garcia is competing against former mayor Michael Rama, City Councilor Nestor Archival, former Customs Commissioner Lorenzo “Yogi” Ruiz, and independent candidate Juliette Co.
The Comelec has yet to release a statement regarding this petition. Further developments are expected as the election approaches. (EHP)