Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia ordered an investigation into alleged workplace harassment experienced by four regular workers at City Hall who filed complaints against Mayor Michael Rama and seven other officials of the Cebu City Government.

The employees complained about their reassignment and unpaid salaries for around 10 months. The complaints led to the preventive suspension of Rama and other officials based on a decision of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Garcia instructed the Human Resource Department to submit a report on the alleged harassment within 48 hours. Details on the nature of the said harassment are yet to be established, as of posting time.

Garcia assumed the position of mayor on acting capacity on May 13, 2024. He met City Hall department heads right after the flag-raising ceremony. 

Garcia appointed Attorney Kristine Batucan as city administrator, Sam Salimbago as new chief of staff, and Liezel Calamba as officer in charge of the City Assessor’s Office. 

Calamba admitted that the task at City Assessor’s Office is quite huge and exacting. However, she said, she vowed to exert her best all at the service of the Cebuanos. 

Garcia will remain in the Vice Mayor’s Office and will not touch the setup at the Mayor’s Office. 

He said he will work on addressing water scarcity and traffic congestion in the city. 

Further, Garcia has announced the release of employees’ midyear bonus by May 15, 2024. 

He went to the City Assessor’s Office where he met three of the four employees who filed complaints against Rama and seven others at the Ombudsman for 10-month unpaid salaries and benefits. 

Earlier, the employees received just four months’ worth of their total paycheck. 

Garcia promised that the remaining six months’ worth of salaries will be paid in full not later than May 20, 2024.

The employees were reassigned from the City Assessor’s Office to other City Hall offices. 

The other respondents under prevention suspension are Maria Theresa Rosell, officer in charge of the City Assessor's Office; Francis May Jacaban, designated assistant Department head for Administration/Legal Office; Angelique Cabugao, designated assistant Department head for Operations; Jay-Ar Pescante, designated Administrative Division head; Lester Joey Beniga, designated Assessment of Records Management Division head; and Nelyn Sanrojo, designated Computer Division head.

As to the question on whether Garcia will implement a reshuffle in City Hall organization, he said that though he does not want to rock the boat he will consider changes as the need arises.