City to Seek new Attorney

Cebu City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez has resigned from his post a few weeks after he and five other department heads of City Hall walked out from a meeting called by Mayor Michael Rama who asked their “all-out support.”

Bernaldez said his resignation will take effect on June 30 and he is no longer reporting to his post saying he is utilizing his 120 days leave credits accumulated since he joined the city government in 2005.

But a reliable source who requested anonymity said Bernaldez may join the Cebu Provincial Attorney’s Office under the administration of Governor-Elect Hilario Davide III.

Davide, however, still did not confirm such rumors.

Aside from Bernaldez, the five other department heads who walked out of the meeting are Alice Utlang (Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries), Emma Villarete (City Treasurer), Evangeline Abatayo (Human Resource Development Office), Arlene Rentoza (Internal Control Office) and Fidel Magno (City Department of Manpower Development and Placement).

Mayor Michael Rama still has appoint a new city legal officer, but there were rumors circulating at the City Hall that City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete might be the one to be designated to replace the post vacated by Bernaldez.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, the general campaign manager of Team Rama, is reportedly interested to become the new city administrator.

“Wala ta’y mahimo kon pagbuot na sa mayor. Mangita lang ta’g laing trabaho sir,” said Poblete when interviewed by MetroCebuNews.