Raymond Garcia is Cebu City's acting mayor for 6 months

VICE Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia will serve as Cebu City's acting mayor for 6 months following the suspension of Mayor Michael Rama.

The Office of the Ombudsman slapped Rama with a 6-month preventive suspension over a complaint from 4 regular employees who allegedly did not receive their salary for 10 months.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 7 issued a memorandum to Garcia on Friday directing him to assume as acting mayor.

Addressing city government employees during a flag-raising

ceremony on Monday, Garcia said, "I am asking everyone to keep things normal in city hall."

"Ipakita nato sa tanan (Let us show them), constituents and stakeholders, the business community, private sector, and all government agencies… that Cebu City is in capable hands because of all of you," he said.

Garcia said he appointed Liezl Calamba as City Assessor to replace suspended Maria Theresa Rosell; Sam Salimbago as his Chiefof-Staff; and Atty. Christine Joyce Batucan to serve as City Administrator replacing suspended Atty. Collin Rosell.

"I’m calling upon everyone: department heads, assistant department heads, heads of offices, all employees of city government to join hands and work together for a smooth transition so that things can quickly get back to normal," Garcia said.

"Together, let us focus on integrity and efficiency in government service and adhere to the wisdom that public office is a public trust," he said.

In a press conference that followed, Garcia said that he would continue the programs earlier planned by Rama, especially the Palarong Pambansa. Cebu City will host the national sporting event this July.

Garcia added that he would approve the release of the employees' mid-year bonus this May 15.

He said he would expedite the release of the salaries of the 4 employees which were allegedly withheld from them for 10 months. "The latest this Monday," he said.

Garcia will also investigate the alleged bullying to the 4 individuals whose complaints caused the mayor's suspension.

"We will give penalties within our laws," Garcia said.

Garcia said the problems he would focus on during his 6-month stint as acting mayor include the water crisis and traffic situation.

He will also look into appointed department heads and plans to replace them if they are not performing well.