Council not to renew contract of Rama consultant?

CEBU, Philippines - The contract of the speech writer and political analyst of Mayor Michael Rama was not renewed during yesterday’s session of the City Council.

The Council deferred action on the matter for one week, said Councilor Noel Wenceslao.

Leonardo Chiu submitted to the Council 17 pages of his day-to-day activities from January 1 to July 31, but some councilors who read the report described the same as like a “diary.”

Chiu included in his report the day Rama got mad at him during a meeting last May 4.

Chiu admitted that the letter submitted to the City Council to support his renewal of contract was originally intended for the mayor, but someone at the consultant’s office reportedly sent the same mistakenly to the City Council believing that it would help renew Chiu’s contract.

“Walay problema nako kon dili nila i-approve ang akong contract, daghan pang trabaho nga akong kasudlan,” Chiu said, following information that the Council actually does not intend to renew his contract.

Chiu started working with Rama during the election period last year as political strategist. He said among his accomplishments with other consultants was reportedly “to strategize the best way to contain the political attacks of Mr. Tomas Osmeña and Bimbo Fernandez.” — (FREEMAN)