Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has raised concerns about the official signing of the 2025 budget ordinance by Acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, citing potential irregularities in the document transmission process over the weekend.
CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia raised questions regarding the signing of the official 2025 budget ordinance by then Acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros on Dec. 28, 2024, due to potential irregularities in the transmission of official documents over the weekend. In an interview on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, Garcia informed reporters that he has yet to receive or sign the official budget ordinance, but he heard that Vice Mayor Hontiveros signed it in an acting capacity.
Garcia was out of the country during the budget deliberation at the “hybrid” special session on Dec. 27, a Friday, where Hontiveros acted as mayor on his behalf. Hontiveros confirmed via text message to SunStar Cebu that he signed the 2025 budget ordinance on Dec. 28, a day after the City Council approved the P14.9 billion budget. He did it on the advice of his legal counsel and in the presence of the council secretary.However, Garcia questioned the validity of the transmission of the ordinance from the council to the acting mayor’s office. “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 p.m. when offices were already closed, I will ask for proof of transmission and inquire about the timing,” he said.ClarificationGarcia clarified that if the signing of the 2025 budget ordinance was valid, he could no longer exercise his veto power and would have to work with the approved budget. “From the very beginning, I have consistently stated that I can work with the P14.9 billion budget,” he said.However, he expressed frustration over budget cuts made by the council, particularly concerning his livelihood programs aimed at uplifting residents’ lives. The council, through Councilor Noel Wenceslao, justified a P3 billion budget cut and the approval of a P1
Budget Cebu City Mayor Hontiveros Garcia
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