| Mike Rama | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Cebu City | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Tomas Osmeña |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 28, 1954 Cebu City, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Michael "Mike" Lopez Rama (born October 28, 1954) is a politician in the Philippines.
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Rama is the son of the late Fernando Rama and Natividada Lopez, the grandson of former Senator Vicente Rama. He graduated as valedictorian, Basak Elementary School, Basak San Nicolas, in Cebu City. He attended the University of Southern Philippines and earned a pre-med degree from Velez College, Cebu City. He went on for further graduate studies in Law at the San Beda College in Manila. Rama passed the bar exam in 1983.[1]
Rama started his political career as Councilor of Cebu City for three successive terms from 1992 to 2001, filling in the slot of his uncle, Clemente "Cle" Rama, a veteran councilor, and leading the Committee on Education. During his third term, he became the No. 1 Councilor that made him often assume the role as Acting Vice Mayor and even as Acting Mayor. Also during his third term, he served as National President of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL).
Thereafter, Rama served three terms as Vice-Mayor of Cebu City from 2001 to 2010 and was elected the National President of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP).[2]
On May 12, 2010, he was proclaimed as the duly elected Mayor of Cebu City for the term 2010 - 2013.[3]
During the 2010 campaign, candidate James Philip Tiongko characterized Rama as “public enemy number one” and accused him of protecting a suspected drug dealer. In response, Rama filed a libel complaint against Tiongko.[4] Rama was also accused by Jonathan Guardo of using government employees as campaign workers in violation of the law, although there was some question as to whether the ban covered "casual" and temporary workers. In response to the accusations, Rama issued an order prohibiting participation of Cebu city hall workers from participating in campaign events.[5]