A LABOR attache and three others from the private sector are being floated as possible candidates for the position of city administrator, but Cebu City Mayor-elect Michael Rama said he still has to talk to them and check their qualifications.
Rama, the City's outgoing vice mayor, yesterday confirmed the names being floated as possible replacement for outgoing City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, but said he has not made a decision yet.
Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Undersecretary and Labor Attache to Taiwan Josephus Jimenez is said to have expressed his interest to serve the City and has submitted to Rama his curriculum vitae.
Jimenez, an Argao-born lawyer, admitted being close to local officials, including Rama and Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district).
Rama said he thinks highly of Jimenez, his former professor at the University of the Visayas College of Law and who also has extensive experience in human relations.
Aside from having somebody who has earned his trust and confidence, Rama told a news conference yesterday he wants someone who has experience in human resource development and relations to fill the post of city administrator.
"When you think about managing the city, you need trusted people.
Trust is very important... Experience in human relations is also important because in the City Government, I want human relations to be given focus because the productivity of our people depends on how you steer, move and touch their hearts to work with passion," Rama said.
The position of city administrator is one of trust and confidence and is coterminous with the term of office of the mayor.
The administrator is considered the mayor's alter ego, often representing the latter in different committees, commissions and councils in the City Government, including the bids and awards committee.
All the department heads also report to the city administrator, who earns some P35,000 a month.
In a chat interview yesterday, Jimenez said he is open to serving the city and Rama, whom he considers a good friend, but he will just wait for the mayor-elect to make a decision.
Rama said it is not necessary to appoint a new city administrator by June 30 when his term starts, since he can still rely on other elected officials and department heads for help in running the city.
"With Undersecretary Jimenez, serving government and coming back to Cebu is not a problem. His bio-data is replete in terms of human relations and many things... He intimated his desire that he will be available under my administration," he said.
When asked if his campaign leaders Leonardo Chiu and Rene Mercado, and his long-time friend and businessman Eugene Elizalde are also being considered for the post, he said he still has to check with them.
"The rest, I still have to check but it's not going to be something that has to happen by July 1. If ever Undersecretary Jimenez is available for whatever position or for consultancy, that would be good," Rama said.
He described Mercado as the "prime mover" of his campaign for the mayoral race, while Chiu also actively helped in his campaign.
Elizalde is a close friend of his "but I still have to talk to him," Rama said. Elizalde was a former president of the Cebu Business Club and is a grandson of a former mayor.
Jimenez said yesterday he is willing to give up his post in Taiwan for other options, among them helping manage the City during Rama's term.
"I have not yet reached a final decision on whether I will join the team or not. It is also the prerogative of the mayor if he has other candidates more deserving," he said.
Jimenez wants to help Rama make the city employees and officials feel happy and passionate about their jobs through training and human resource development programs.
He also wants to help other units in City Hall integrate their plans, programs and activities to support the mayor, and to hold regular press conferences to promote transparency and bring the City Government closer to the people. (LCR)