OVER EX-CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S ARREST Cases vs Garcia, 4 others junked

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has dismissed the charges filed against Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and other officials in connection with the complaint filed by former City Administrator Collin Rosell over his alleged unlawful arrest at the Cebu City Hall.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo, Staff Member

In a three-page decision signed by Corazon Arnado-Carillo on March 7, 2025, the Ombudsman dismissed the charges against Garcia, then Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) City Director Antonietto Cañete, Police Station 3 Commander John Lynbert Yango, Cebu City Administrator Kristine Joy Batucan, Cebu City Legal Officer Santiago Ortiz Jr., and other CCPO personnel.

The charges, according to the Ombudsman decision, are in relation to the incident last November 8, 2024 when Rosell "reported" for work, attempting to resume his post as City Administrator amidst the preventive suspension issued against him, former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, and seven other City Hall officials. Rosell had been appointed as Cebu City Administrator on a coterminous status with Rama.

Rosell said his actions were driven by his assertion that Rama remained the city’s mayor despite the latter’s dismissal from government service by the anti-graft office following his conviction of nepotism.