Loyalty checks for consultants too

CEBU, Philippines - All consultants at the Cebu City Hall will not be spared from the loyalty checks being conducted by the mayor.

Last Monday, Mayor Michael Rama called to a meeting all the consultants under his office and the consultants of the City Council to explain to them the circumstances in City Hall and to get their commitment in the jobs that the city government hired them to do.

He also called them to be enlightened on the allegations of former mayor and incumbent Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña that some of the consultants are not working and only show up at their own time.

Rama said that even with consultants, he must check who are with him and who are against him so all of them can work harmoniously. He has ordered the review of the policy governing the entering of contracts with the consultants.

He said that even if the consultants are for the councilors, he wants to be the one to sign the contracts instead of the vice mayor.

At present, only the contracts for the consultants of the mayor pass through his office but the contracts of the consultants of the 20 councilors and the vice mayor are signed by the latter.

Each councilor is entitled to one consultant while Vice Mayor Joy Young has two.

Cebu City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete who used to be the City Council secretary said that it has been the practice that the vice mayor signs for the contracts with the consultants of the council members.

But under the Local Government Code, Section 456 paragraph 2, the vice mayor’s powers and duties include, “subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, except those whose manner of appointment is specifically provided in this Code.”

Poblete said that consultants are neither officials nor employees. They are not subject to civil service rules. Their hiring underwent the procurement process.

But even if the contracts are signed by the vice mayor, Poblete said that it still passes through the mayor because he signs the notice of award of the contract.

“What belongs to the executive must go to the executive. I have the liberty to do things for self-preservation,” Rama said.

The loyalty check that the mayor is conducting not only among consultants but also among the 5,000 employees and heads of commissions as well as administrative officers of all departments in City Hall was an offshoot of the legal battle that was started by the Pagtambayayong Foundation over the Mahiga Creek demolition.

Rama said being aware who are the people behind the charges filed against him for clearing the creek of informal settlers, it is but wise for him to watch his back.

He said that the only people he needs in City Hall are those who have his trust and confidence and those who are willing to work with him.

“Gikiha ko without sufficient grounds. I have to watch my back. I have to do what is right. Naa diha’y daghan naghinay-hinay, unya hibaw-an nato na sabotahe diay,” Rama said.

Meanwhile, Young and City Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe Jr. said Rama has every prerogative to conduct a loyalty check on all executive directors of boards and commissions especially if these are under the Office of the Mayor.

They viewed the mayor’s move as part of his management style that he wants to be comfortable with the people surrounding him.

“It is his prerogative. He should demand loyalty,” Young said.

Rama already met with the heads of different commissions and administrative officers of every department at City Hall and the consultants. He told them that he was willing to accept their resignation if they cannot work with him.

But Young warned Rama to be careful.

“I urged Mayor Rama to be cautious and review properly. Kasagaran ana nila are not political appointees even if they were appointed during Tommy’s time,” Young said. 

Most of the current executive directors in the boards and commissions under the Office of the Mayor were appointed by Osmeña.

The Office of the Mayor has more than 50 boards and commissions.

 Rama already created a five-member team to review the composition and relevance of more than 50 boards and commissions under the Office of the Mayor. The mayor wants all executive directors of boards and commissions under the Office of the Mayor to be people he can trust.

Rama said that there are some commissions under the Office of the Mayor that will be merged so that the city government can save resources.

While Young agreed with Rama he said these should be properly reviewed because they were created through city ordinances. -/BRP (FREEMAN)