CEBU, Philippines — Beleaguered Cebu City Administrator Albert Tan has resigned amid reports that he was being investigated over alleged irregularities in the city’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), where he served as chairperson.
Mayor Nestor Archival announced yesterday that he had accepted Tan’s resignation and designated City Attorney Briccio Joseph Boholst to assume the post. Assistant City Attorney Eleodoro Diaz IV, meanwhile, will serve as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the City Legal Office.
Archival said he received Tan’s resignation letter the other day. Tan allegedly did not state a reason for his resignation.
Archival, who had been defending Tan against attacks and allegations, said he accepted the resignation and endorsed it to the Human Resources Development Office (HRDO) for processing.
Boholst had been designated acting city administrator since Sept. 18 under Memorandum No. 2026-00621 while continuing to serve as city attorney.
He acknowledged the mayor’s action and relayed it to the City Council, which had been deliberating on expanding his responsibilities to include administrative functions beyond his legal duties.
“The action of the Mayor was to approve or accept the resignation and endorse the same papers to HRDO for processing,” Boholst said.
During the regular session, however, Boholst continued to refer to himself as “designated,” noting that no formal appointment had yet been made.
He explained that should conflicts arise, the assistant head of the City Legal Office would be authorized to issue legal opinions in his stead.
In the meantime, the City Council has authorized Boholst to sign checks, debit memos and other fiscal documents as acting administrator.
The authority was based on Archival’s expanded memorandum empowering Boholst to approve disbursements of up to P10 million for the procurement of goods, services, infrastructure and consulting projects.
Boholst was also authorized to sign checks of any amount for salaries, utilities, government premiums, subsidies and social assistance programs.
His authority also covers payrolls, cash advances for confidential funds, burial assistance, honoraria for barangay workers, subsidies to special accounts and reimbursements for medical assistance.
Archival said consolidating these functions under the acting administrator was necessary to ensure continuity and efficiency in city operations, particularly in fiscal matters that directly affect government employees and beneficiaries of social programs.
Archival clarified that with Boholst assuming the administrator’s post, Diaz will serve as OIC of the City Legal Office.
Diaz previously served as city attorney, giving him institutional experience in handling the city’s legal affairs.
Archival said appointing Diaz was the most practical option to avoid disruption, stressing that succession was the proper mechanism to maintain stability.
“Automatic na si Diaz, assistant man siya. Succession lang aron dili makutaw ang serbisyo,” Archival said.
Appointed in July 2025, Tan’s tenure was marked by criticisms from Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who accused him of incompetence and blamed him for delays in the release of salaries to job order workers.
In September 2026, Tan went on leave amid an investigation into complaints involving the BAC, where suppliers alleged selective release of bidding documents. He later stepped aside as BAC chair to allow the investigation to proceed. (CEBU NEWS)