City council freezes renewal of Rama consultants

Uncertain of how much Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was willing to allocate for their consultancy needs, councilors have agreed to temporarily defer action on any consultancy contracts brought before them.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young expressed concern whether there will still be enough money to pay for legislative consultants following reports that Mayor Rama intends to hire a total of 78 executive consultants, nine of which were already presented to the council in yesterday morning’s session.

“The council also needs an assurance that we will also be getting out own consultants. In the meantime we should defer action on all these consultancy contracts,” he told the City Council.

In yesterday’s session, Councilors Edgar Labella, Roberto Cabarrubias, Margot Osmeña and Sisinio Andales presented nine resolutions for the renewal of contracts of executive department consultants.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, another Rama ally, said he is well aware that each of the 18 councilors also need to have their consultants.

With all councilors in agreement with Daluz they also decided to defer action on the renewal of the consultancy contracts of executive consulatnts Nicanor Maglasang – senior citizens concerns; Cerwin Eviota – development, communication and training; Joseph Abellar – Department of Engineering and Public Works; former councilor Arsenio Pacaña – tourism and heritage concerns and religious affairs; former councilor Franklyn Seno – hillyland development and management board; Jodelyn May Seno – Human Resources and Development Office; Angel Esperitu – protocol and consular affairs; Elvis Somosot – music, arts and culture and Rene Gregorio Bautista – Peoples Law Enforcement Board.

In order to spare them from further inconvenience, the councilors agreed to no longer require their presence when they resume deliberation of the renewal of their contracts./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac