Hiring of barangay captain as consultant deferred

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws, yesterday sought the deferment in the hiring of a consultant on real property management under the Office of the Mayor due to a question on double compensation.

The proposed resolution of South District Councilor Jose Daluz III to hire Felix Abella as consultant was deferred for one-week, since Abella is an incumbent punong barangay in Labangon. 

Daluz, in his resolution, is proposing a monthly remuneration of P9,000 as consultancy fee for Abella from January 1 to June 30, 2010.

But Labella said he wants to check if the hiring of Abella and paying him fees as consultant is allowed, considering that he is receiving salary from the barangay.

“I would like to look at it, kung dili ba ma-double compensation because he is a barangay official and he is a public official,” Labella later told reporters in an interview.

The Supreme Court said that receiving additional, double or indirect compensation without any law authorizing it is a violation of the Constitution.

In yesterday’s council session, the City Council confirmed the appointment of City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and lawyer Joseph Bernaldez as city legal officer.

The City Council also approved eight consultants: former city councilors Hilario Davide III as consultant under the Office of Councilor Margot Osmeña and Gerardo Carillo as consultant on education and quick response on disaster and calamity situations; Dionisio Sy as consultant for the historical affairs commission; Raymund Bertulfo as consultant to the committee on budget and finance; Guillermo Casinillo as consultant for the senior citizens; Bienvenido Jaban for the school board and committee on education; Yvonne Artiaga as legal consultant to the Office of Councilor Alvin Dizon and Ferdie Esperidion Riveral as consultant to the Office of Councilor Nida Cabrera.  (FREEMAN)