Consultants' hiring deferred again

CEBU, Philippines - The approval on hiring of consultants on political and barangay affairs under the office of Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is now in peril.

City Councilors Socrates Fernandez and Raul Cabañero are questioning the hiring of consultants under the mayor's office, saying that it may be a duplication of an existing office.

The Bids and Awards Committee recommended the hiring of Charles Basillote, the former president of the Association of Barangay, as consultant on political affairs but Fernandez is questioning on the title to be given to the consultant.

"I am not objecting. I know his (Charles) sincerity and services, but I would like to manifest on the title of consultant on political affairs. I object to the title," Fernandez said, adding that an elected official, such as a mayor, who ran for an office does not necessarily get a consultant for his political affairs.

City Councilor Doroteo Emit, who was formerly the barangay captain of Pooc, asked Basillote if being a consultant on political affairs of the mayor will also mean meddling with the affairs of the city.

Basillote simply replied that he will be working harmoniously with both executive and legislative departments.

Cabañero, who is the president of the Association of Barangay Council, said there may be duplication of works if the city will be hiring consultants on barangay affairs.

Cabañero questioned the hiring of Ulysses Julia as consultant on barangay affairs if the function and job description of Julia may cause competition between the ABC office and the consultant's office.

"Is it not a duplication of my office? Why do we need a consultant on barangay affairs when there is an ABC office to handle the problems of the barangays?" Cabañero asked.

But Julia told the members of the council that his office will not be a duplication of the ABC, instead recommendatory to the office of the mayor.

"We are not part of legislation. We are not here to compete with the affairs of the ABC because this is not a competition," Julia added.

The approval of the proposal to hire Basillote and Julia as consultant under the mayor has been deferred by the city council to next week.  (FREEMAN)