Former Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell was arrested by police on Friday after attempting to reassert authority at the Cebu City Hall, claiming that his six-month preventive suspension had expired. The incident escalated when Rosell entered the city hall and occupied the old office of dismissed Mayor Michael Rama, where he held a press conference declaring the return of Rama as the legitimate mayor of Cebu City.
Rosell’s actions followed his belief that both his and Rama’s suspensions, imposed in May for allegedly failing to pay four city hall employees for ten months, had officially lapsed on November 6. Despite Rama being dismissed and disqualified from public office due to a separate complaint involving nepotism—allegedly hiring his brothers-in-law for key government positions—Rosell continued to challenge the legitimacy of the dismissal order. Rama’s camp has contested the dismissal, claiming they were never officially served with the order.
Upon arriving at City Hall on Friday morning, Rosell was denied entry to the City Administrator’s Office and instead proceeded to the former mayor’s office, where he declared Rama’s return. This led to tensions at the city hall, with Rama’s supporters gathering outside, chanting for his reinstatement. Rosell downplayed the Ombudsman’s dismissal order and its consequences, asserting that Rama’s removal from office was invalid.
At approximately 6:00 PM, police, led by Col. Antonietto Cañete, arrested Rosell on charges of usurpation of authority after complaints from the current City Administrator Kristine Joyce Batucan and City Legal Officer Santiago Ortiz. The arrest, which was captured on video, showed Rosell resisting as officers attempted to handcuff him. In a defiant statement, Rosell insisted, “I have done nothing against you… please stream this live,” asserting that he was simply resuming his duties as city administrator now that his suspension had ended.
Cebu City’s current mayor, Raymond Alvin Garcia, condemned Rosell’s actions, reiterating that he was the legitimate mayor, supported by both the Ombudsman’s decision and the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s confirmation. Garcia added that he had directed the police to manage the Rama supporters with “maximum tolerance” while urging that work at the city hall continue.
Rosell’s arrest has sparked political tensions, with Rama’s son, Lawyer Mikel Rama, and Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros questioning the legality of the arrest, citing the absence of an arrest warrant. The incident has drawn criticism from Rama’s supporters, who view Rosell’s actions as part of a political struggle over control of the city’s leadership.
Rosell, who called the arrest “maximum oppression” and “maximum harassment,” remains steadfast in his belief that Rama should return to office.
On saturday, Collin Rosell posted bail at the Cebu City Hall of Justice, in the amount of P30,000 for the offense of usurpation of authority and P3,000 for resisting arrest.
