Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has raised concerns about the signing of the 2025 budget ordinance by former Acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, citing potential irregularities in the process.
Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia questioned the signing of the official 2025 budget ordinance by former Acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros on December 28, 2024, due to possible irregularities in the passing of official documents on Saturday. In an interview on January 3, 2025, Garcia told reporters that he had not yet received or signed the official budget ordinance but had learned that Hontiveros had signed it in an acting capacity.
Garcia was out of the country during the budget deliberation during the “Hybrid” Special Session on December 27, where Hontiveros was acting mayor in his stead. Hontiveros confirmed to SunStar Cebu on Thursday that he had signed and approved the 2025 budget ordinance on December 28, Saturday, a day after the city council approved the P14.9 billion 2025 budget. He stated that this was done upon the advice of his legal counsel and in the presence of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary. However, Garcia questioned the validity of the transmission of the budget ordinance from the Sangguniang Panlungsod to the Office of the Acting Mayor. 'Was there a proper transmission? When did the transmission occur? Weekends and holidays are non-working days. If it was signed on a Saturday, there are no questions. However, if it was transmitted on a Saturday, when offices are closed, it's highly irregular. If it was transmitted on Friday after 5:00 PM, when offices are already closed, I will ask for proof of transmission and inquire about the timing,' said Garcia. Garcia clarified that if the signing of the 2025 budget ordinance was valid, he would not use his veto power. 'From the very beginning, I have consistently stated that I can work with the P14.9 billion budget,' said Garcia. He also mentioned the reconsideration of the budget, particularly the allocation for livelihood programs that could improve the lives of the city's constituents
Cebu City Mayor Budget Acting Mayor Irregularities
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