Rama vouches support for Duterte, declares self as opposition leader in Visayas

Local

FORMER Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has declared himself the opposition leader in the Visayas, denouncing the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an “unjust handover.”

Rama, who serves as vice president for the Visayas in Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), reaffirmed his allegiance to Duterte and vowed to rally support across Regions 6, 7, and 8.

He insisted his stance was not against the Philippine government but a call to resist what he described as foreign interference.

“I am declaring myself as the opposition leader for the Visayas because I am the president of Partido Barug, ‘Team Rama,’ a political party registered and accredited with the Commission on Elections (Comelec),” he said.

Duterte was taken to The Hague, Netherlands, on March 12 and is now detained as the ICC proceeds with its trial over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

Criticism of Marcos admin

Rama accused the Marcos administration of failing to prevent Duterte’s arrest, calling it an act of “snatching and kidnapping.”

He argued that the former president should have been tried in the Philippines, not before an international tribunal.

He also pointed to the recent arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a Duterte ally, as part of what he claimed was a broader pattern of political persecution.

Rama warned that the current political climate resembled martial law and could spark nationwide unrest similar to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

While urging Filipinos to take a stand, he clarified that he was not calling for protests but merely voicing concerns that he believed the government should address.

When pressed about concrete plans for his opposition movement, he said, “Watch out.”

Legal battles of his own

Rama’s declaration of opposition comes despite his own legal troubles.

On October 3, 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman found him guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct for appointing two brothers-in-law to positions at Cebu City Hall, leading to his permanent disqualification from public office.

His appeal was denied.

Earlier, on May 7, 2024, he and seven other city officials had been placed under preventive suspension for six months over allegations of unpaid salaries to four city employees since July 2023.

Despite his dismissal, Rama was able to proceed with his mayoral candidacy after securing a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, allowing him to continue his campaign.

Solidarity with VP Sara

Days before Duterte’s arrest, Rama was joined by Vice President Sara Duterte in a series of handshaking events in Cebu City.

The public engagements were widely seen as a display of unity amid mounting political tensions and reaffirmed Rama’s influence despite his legal setbacks.

Rama urged PDP members in the Visayas to stand with him in opposing Duterte’s detention but said participation would be voluntary.

While dismissing the idea of street protests, he mentioned a candle-lighting event as a symbolic expression of dissent.

“The people should not just sit on the bench and refuse to be counted,” he said, insisting that those in power—not the opposition—were the real instigators of unrest.

He also reflected on his past support for the UniTeam tandem of President Marcos and Vice President Duterte in the 2022 elections, expressing regret that the alliance had led to the current crisis.(MyTVCebu)