As advisers to VM Raymond Garcia: Casas, Daluz back at CH

CEBU, Philippines — Two of the trusted lieutenants of the late mayor Edgardo Labella are back at Cebu City Hall as advisers of Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Garcia has hired former city administrator Floro Casas, Jr. as adviser on legal matters and other related concerns. He also named former councilor and Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) chairman Joey Daluz as adviser on financial matters and other concerns.

“This designation stands for the whole duration of the Honorable Vice-mayor’s term until otherwise earlier recalled or canceled,” read part of the vice mayor’s memo.

Daluz said he felt honored by the trust and confidence the vice mayor gave him.

“It’s an honor na we are given that confidence sa atong vice mayor…although we are friends but gitinuod gyud pud diay niya nga gi-appoint ko noh,” Daluz told The Freeman.

According to him, Garcia had been asking him to help out but he did not expect he was serious about it.

“Of course, nakahisgot siya ana noh nga e-appoint ko niya as special adviser…Abi nako’g estorya-estorya ra to’ng amo,” Daluz said.

Daluz said he still has to meet with Garcia on the matter to clarify the scope of his work as financial adviser.

“Mag-estorya pa mi…What is the scope as Cebu City financial adviser niya,” Daluz said.

He believes that his experience as former member of the city council is what prompted the vice mayor to tap his services.

“Basin bahin ni sa annual, sa supplemental, contract nga naay obligation ang city kay I was twice chairman for the budget and finance in the (City) Council…Ing-anang linyaha no..magpa-advise…Mag-estorya sa  mi sa scope,” Daluz said.

Even if he gets no compensation for it, Daluz said he is already sure of accepting the appointment.

“Of course I’m accepting it kay ang vice-mayor man ang naghatag og confidence, but as to the score, mag estorya sa mi,” said Daluz.

Daluz said he understands that he cannot be paid for being the vice mayor’s adviser because of his work as chairman of MCWD.

“Wa gyud kay I’m with MCWD…so ma double compensation ko if I receive another remuneration from another government entity…So sakto ning gibuhat sa atong bise-mayor nga wa ni siyay remuneration…Purely for service,” Daluz said.

Like Daluz, Casas was also thankful to Garcia for the trust and confidence and for allowing him to be of service to the city government in another capacity. Before becoming city administrator during the late mayor Labella’s administration, Casas served as legal officer of the Cebu City government.

“Thank you Vice mayor Atty. Raymond Alvin Garcia for your trust and confidence. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of your advocacy for good governance and genuine public service,” Casas posted on Facebook.

He also included in his post the hash tag “UbanTaSaKausaban,” a brand used by the Labella administration.

When Labella died in November last year, Casas resigned as city administrator while Daluz kept his post in MCWD up to the present.

They both revived the local party Partido Panaghiusa in the last elections where Casas was elected chairman and Daluz as president. They forged an alliance with Garcia’s Kusug Party and Mayor Michael Rama’s Partido Barug against the candidates of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK). (FREEMAN)