CEBU CITY — Currently serving the preventive suspension order by the Office of the Ombudsman, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced that he intends to attend the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa on July 9 at the Cebu City Sports Complex.However, the mayor said that he has yet to receive any formal invitation from Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the acting chief executive of Cebu City.In a press conference on Thursday, Rama expressed his commitment to attend the opening rites of the annual multi-sports event for elementary and secondary students.He said the suspension has not deterred his enthusiasm to attend Palarong Pambansa activities.Rama, along with seven other city officials, has been placed under a six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman since May 8.This suspension stemmed from a complaint filed by city hall employees who alleged they had not been paid for 10 months and were reassigned to other offices from the City Assessor's Office.Rama emphasized his dedication to the city's welfare and activities, regardless of his current status.He believes that his presence at the Palarong Pambansa will demonstrate his support for young athletes and highlight the importance of sports in fostering community spirit.The Palarong Pambansa, a major annual sporting event in the Philippines, gathers student-athletes from across the 17 regions to compete in various disciplines.Cebu City is set to host this year's games, starting July 6 until July 17. The opening ceremony is slated on July 9.Rama also said that despite the tension between him and Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, he called for unity for the success of the event."We hope that there can still be unity amid diversity," he said.Both Rama and Garcia ran together in the 2022 elections; however, they encountered misunderstandings over the latter's decisions upon assuming office following the former's suspension.Additionally, the suspended mayor said that he was invited to a meeting with Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday morning.Rama, however, said that he has no idea about the topics they will discuss.Recently, Duterte resigned from his post as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.The Cebu City government still expects the vice president during the Palarong Pambansa, since its resignation from DepEd is effective on July 19, Garcia said in a press conference last week.

Read The Rest at :