The Cebu City Council yesterday renewed the six-month contracts for 18 consultants but paused on rehiring public relations practitioner Cerwin Eviota under the office of the mayor.
“There may be a conflict of interest on his part,” said Councilor Margot Osmeña.
She cited news reports from May to August wherein Eviota issued statements defending Filinvest Land Inc. against Cebu city’s guarantee fee claims over a 10-hectare lot at the South Road Properties (SRP) that is under a joint venture agreement with the city.
The council deferred action for a week on Eviota’s contract until the matter is studied by the committee on laws.
Eviota, who runs his own PR agency, was hired by the mayor shortly after his election as a consultant on development, communication and training for pubilc information.
Early this year, Eviota also became publicity and promotions head for Filinvest. His task includes issuing press statements on issues affecting FLI’s dealings with City Hall.
Eviota, in a statement to Cebu Daily News, said he respects the City Council’s action.
“We submit ourselves to the process. We’ve been serving the city before as a volunteer citizen under the leadership of Mayor Mike Rama. That can always be an option for us. What matters to me is the confidence that the mayor has in us, and with what we do for and with him and his team to make the best things happen for the city,” Eviota said in a text message.
Eviota said he believes there is no conflict of interest involved since he is not an organic employee of City Hall or Filinvest which “complement each other as joint venture partners.”
But whatever is the opinion of the committee on laws or the City Legal Office, “we will adhere,” Eviota added.
Fifteen consultants of the mayor’s office and three in the legislative department will receive an honorarium of P18,000 per month during their work contracts from July 1 to December 31.
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