AFTER RECENT REVIEW OF FLAGGED ITEMS: Garcia blames Hontiveros anew over budget flaws

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia hit Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros anew over budget inconsistencies flagged by the Department of Budget and Management-(DBM) 7, showing the proposal books, which he stressed cannot be reviewed in just a day.

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They are, however, eyeing the submission of a reconsideration for the flagged items.

Garcia made these remarks in a press conference yesterday, following a meeting with department heads. He added that they reviewed the budget ordinance again.

During the same press conference, he presented two bound books that contain the budget ordinance and the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2025.

“Baga kaayo no? Baga jud kaayo ni maong it will really take quite some time if you're the mayor, then inig balik ani nimo, because you will sign it..so ing-ani ka baga kay daghan kaayog mga items," Garcia said, referring to the books he was holding.

Garcia submitted a P17.9 billion budget proposal that was trimmed down to P14.6 billion by the city council.

It may be recalled that during the last weeks of December 2024, Garcia went on leave, placing Hontiveros in the role of acting mayor, including during the approval of the annual budget.

According to Garcia, the proper procedure should allow the city mayor to review all the items that were trimmed down in order to exercise veto or line-item veto powers.