Ombudsman dismisses 2 Cebu mayors

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dis- missal of suspended mayors Michael Rama of Cebu City and Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City for nepotism and grave misconduct.

- MITCHELLE PALAUBSANON and IRIS MASCARDO

In separate decisions, the anti-graft office found Rama guilty for appointing two of his brothers-in-law as a process server under the Office of the Mayor and as administrative aide at the Cebu City Medical Center.

The ombudsman also found Cortes guilty of allowing SUPREA Phils. Development Corp., a batching plant for concrete mix, to operate even without a business permit, sanitary permit and environmental clearance.

Both Rama and Cortes were ordered perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

In Rama's case, the ombudsman said the former mayor committed nepotism, grave misconduct and graft and corruption after twice appointing Elmer Mandanat and Gomer Mandanat as casual employees of Cebu City.