Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia delivered his speech on Monday during the flag raising ceremony at the Plaza Sugbo grounds. CDND photo | Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced new appointees during flag-raising ceremony at Plaza Sugbo on Monday, May 13, 2024.
The new appointees were Lawyer Kristine Joyce Batucan (new city Administrator), Liezel Calamba (new city assessor), and Sam Salimbago (new Chief of Staff).
Batucan, the new City Administrator, formerly served City Attorney’s Office and recently a staff of Garcia.
Who is the new city administrator?
In a press conference on Monday, Garcia said that Batucan is a registered nurse and passed the Bar exams in 2019. She also started working before at the City Legal Office under the administration of the late mayor Edgar Labella.
Garcia said that when he became the vice mayor, he “handpicked” Batucan to assist him in the Vice Mayor’s Office.
The former City Administrator was Collin Rossell, while the former City Assessor was Maria Theresa Rossell, and the former chief of staff was Cerj Michael.
Both Collin and Maria Theresa were among the city officials who were suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman last May 8.
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Moreover, in his speech, Garcia also acknowledged the presence of the members of the City Council who were present in the ceremony.
Among the councilors present were Councilors Joel Garganera, Noel Wenceslao, Pancrasio Esparis, Junjun Osmeña, Jerry Guardo, James Anthony Cuenco, Jun Alcover, and SK Councilor Rhea Jakosalem.
Garcia, specifically acknowledge Cuenco, who attended the flag raising ceremony for the first time.
Garcia will be the acting mayor of Cebu City for 6 months, following the suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman to Mayor Michael Rama.
After the flag ceremony, which lasted only about 30 minutes, employees immediately returned back to work. Usually a jingle is played during this time.