Junking Mayor's consultant young expects political issues to arise

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City acting mayor Joy Augustus Young foresees controversies to arise from the City Council’s junking of hiring of a former member of the United States Air Force as consultant of the Office of the Mayor.

Young told The FREEMAN there is no need to hire Oliver Echivarre, a United States citizen with a Balikbayan visa, as a mayor’s consultant on systems and procedures just to accommodate him.

“I don’t mind if they will put political color because I don’t see there is a need to hire a consultant on systems and procedure,” Young said, adding that this is the first time that the council did not approve the hiring of Mayor Michael Rama’s consultant after he bolted out of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan.

The committee on laws headed by Councilor Edgardo Labella did not recommend to hire Echivarre because of his citizenship.

The committee said Echivarre should apply first for a dual citizen status so he can be employed by City Hall because he is subject to limitations provided under the Commonwealth Act 613 (as amended) also known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

But even if Echivarre will apply for dual citizen status, Young said they have several questions to ask him on what is the real function of the consultant on systems and procedure.

Rama is expected to be back at City Hall today after his five-day trip in Israel.

Earlier, Rama exerted his authority on the approval of consultancy contracts of the city government including those hired by members of the legislative department. The mayor based his arguments on the opinion rendered by the city legal office.

He said the mayor is the “primary official” who can execute and sign all consultancy contracts on behalf of the city, whether the consultants to be hired are for the executive or legislative department, considering that the mayor is the head of the procuring entity.

The city legal office said it is the power and duty of the mayor to “represent the City in all its business matters and sign in its behalf all its bonds, contracts, and obligations made in accordance with the laws and ordinances.”

But Young responded that the mayor cannot sign a contract without passing first the City Council.

 Young admitted that after Rama raised questions on consultants of the legislative department, they will no longer approve any consultants hired by the Office of the Mayor without passing through scrutiny at the council.

“We will be stricter now. Siya man ang nag-una og isyu niini kabahin sa mga consultants,” Young said.

Based on the records, from January to June 30, the Office of the Mayor has 43 consultants. As consultant, they are to receive a salary of P18,000 a month under a six-month contract.

Of the number of consultants, 17 are formerly under the previous administration of then mayor Tomas Osmeña and some are former city councilors.

“In fairness pud sa Office of the Mayor, uban nila naa man gyud gamit ang ilang pagka-consultant,” Young added.

Young has seven consultants, one each on budget and finance, communications, local school board, legislative matters, health programs, matters relating to government service and revenue protection.

There are 20 consultants under the Office of the Cebu City Councilors. Each councilor is entitled to have one or two consultants. — (FREEMAN)