City attorney resigns

CEBU, Philippines - One of the six department heads who went out of the mayor’s office after a supposedly loyalty check resigned a day after Mayor Michael Rama was reelected.

Cebu City Legal Office chief Atty. Joseph Bernaldez said his resignation dated May 15 will take effect on June 30.

“Based on protocol, a co-terminus employee has to resign at the end of a term,” Bernaldez said.

Councilor Joey Daluz, an ally of the mayor who is currently on leave for 22 days, said the mayor has not signed the resignation letter.

Bernaldez is no longer reporting at the city hall saying he is utilizing his 120 days leave credits accumulated since he joined the city government in 2005.

Bernaldez reportedly went out of the mayor’s office when Rama called for a meeting last April 17 together with Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) chief Dr. Alice Utlang, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, Human Resource Department Office chief Atty. Evangeline Abatayo, Internal Control Office chief Arlene Rentosa, City Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) chief Fidel Magno.

Rama denied that the meeting was for a loyalty check.

The other five remained mum on Bernaldez’s resignation but one of them said they were expecting the reshuffling of the department heads as announced by the mayor last week.

The city legal officer said he considers doing private practice since he received offers from private corporations.— (FREEMAN)