Cebu City accuses ACTIEF lawyer of conflict of interest

THE Cebu City Legal Office found a conflict of interest involving a lawyer of the Asian College of Technology International Educational Foundation Inc. (ACTIEF).

While working for the school, lawyer Edison Arriola also worked as a consultant of the office of Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, the City Legal Office claimed.

In a two-page legal opinion dated July 13, lawyer IV Ferdinand Cañete said that Arriola was a legal consultant of Cabarrubias from Jan. 1 to June 30 this year and was paid P18,000 per month by the City Government.

His consultancy contract was approved by the City Council last March 25.

Cañete then said that while being paid by the City, Arriola also works as part of the legal team of ACTIEF, which has a pending case against the City.

Cañete said Arriola appeared to be part of ACTIEF’s legal counsel based on the news clippings of a local newspaper (not Sun.Star Cebu).

“After taking into account all the facts, and the relevant laws, rules and regulations applicable to the issue at hand, this office is of strong opinion that there is conflict of interest,” Cañete said. The legal opinion was approved by City Legal Office Chief Jerone Castillo.

“From the foregoing facts, it is undeniable that both the City of Cebu and the ACTIEF are clients of Atty. Arriola, hence, the existence of conflict of interest,” he added.

Sought for comment about the matter, Arriola told Sun. Star Cebu in a text message yesterday that he does not know yet the basis of the legal opinion. He said he does not have a copy.

“I was a legislative consultant who was consulted on matters pertaining to the making of ordinances, resolutions and committee reports. That I became a retained corporate counsel of ACTIEF and other companies within the city doesn’t conflict with my role as a legislative consultant,” he added.

The legal opinion was issued by the legal office based on the inquiry of Mayor Michael Rama’s chief of staff Atty. Dominic Diño.

ACTIEF is among the schools that participated in the City’s scholarship program.