Mike Rama hints at 2028 comeback

Local

DEFEATED but not deterred.

Former Cebu City Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama returned to City Hall on Wednesday, June 11, hinting at a political comeback in 2028 even as his election protest remains pending.

“I will be fighting. 2028—we will, hopefully—we’ll come back,” Rama told reporters.

Rama made a courtesy visit to Acting Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, who temporarily assumed office following Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s leave of absence to fulfill earlier commitments made during his tenure as vice mayor.

The visit, Rama clarified, was simply a matter of courtesy and not meant to stir any controversy.

“Unsaon man nila pag-misunderstood nga—kinahanglan ba i-misunderstood nga naa pa man gani koy kuhaon? Kana [picture frame with VP Sara], hinatag na ni VP Sara,” he said.

Rama said he felt “melancholy” and “emotional” upon stepping into the mayor’s office once again, reflecting on his 33 years of service at City Hall.

The former mayor brought his wife, Malou, with him to help identify which remaining items were personal and which belonged to the government.

“Don’t worry, kung naa may nakuha nga tag-iya ang gobyerno, I am always willing to return it,” he said.

He recalled a previous instance where he ‘voluntarily’ returned a government-issued vehicle even before his term ended.

“Bisan akong termino wala pa nahuman, para walay samok, akong giuli ang sakyanan. Ako gani giingnan na, apila ninyo akong balay,” he said.

Moreover, Hontiveros expressed joy at seeing Rama again, calling him his political mentor.

“Malipayon kay ganahan man jod ta—adopted son man ta. You will always look out for him in a good disposition,” Hontiveros said.

Rama, in turn, recalled his long-standing promise to Hontiveros’ late parents, especially his mother, that he would always look after their son.

Asked about the future of their political partnership, Hontiveros said meetings with their partymates and discussions on party direction would continue.

“For me, the opportunity to rest and enjoy—like I mentioned in the flag ceremony—it’s truly been an experience. Credits, of course, sa mga nang botar nako ug kang Mayor Rama, ug ninyo sad nga wala ko ninyo gidaot,” he said.

“Dili kay naa may nidaot namo, and I was always defending Mayor Mike. So I really appreciate ang inyong pagsabot sa akoa,” Hontiveros added.

Rama declined to go into detail about his ongoing election protest against newly proclaimed Mayor Nestor Archival and Mayor Garcia but said the matter was being handled by his legal team, led by lawyer Collin Rosell.

“Naa mi pa-future presscon ana,” he said.

While his legal protest continues, Rama said he is now focused on a wider personal and political role—as a husband, a father, and a national opposition leader.

“I can be going around the country, especially if Sara [Duterte] will eventually [run]—connection with her desire,” Rama said, affirming his continued loyalty to Duterte.

“Because if VP Sara is very clear that she’s running for presidency, I will be supporting her, being the local president of Team RAMA.”

Rama lost in the May 2025 mayoral race, placing third with 120,124 votes. He was behind Archival’s 256,197 votes and Garcia’s 176,967.

Days after the polls, he filed an election protest citing alleged technical glitches in the vote-counting machines and demanded a manual recount.(TGP)