SIXTEEN former Cebu City Hall employees potentially face legal action for allegedly defying a 72-hour ultimatum to return government-owned radio equipment.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia ordered the City Administrator’s Office to conduct a new inventory on Friday, April 25, 2025, to verify if the radios were returned after the Thursday, April 24, deadline.
If the city administrator confirms that the radios were not returned on Thursday, Garcia said he will forward the matter to the City Legal Office to study appropriate legal action, which could include administrative and criminal cases against the individuals.
“We will wait for their recommendation,” he told SunStar Cebu on Friday.
Confirmation
Ramil Ayuman, who leads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, confirmed Thursday that the 16 digital handheld radio units remained unreturned. The official is not part of the administrator’s office.
The demand followed the discovery that the radios were allegedly used for political campaigning ahead of the May 12 elections. The equipment was reportedly used by individuals affiliated with former Mayor Michael Rama.
Former employees still possessing the city-owned items include Rama’s brother-in-law Elmer Mandanat. Others are Noel Saciedo, Generous Flores Gonzales, Phillips John Singson, Angelo Zambo, Christ Mark Garma, Winston Nogra, Roger Luna, Archie Dereche, Mark Anthony Sayaboc, Dinnes Napoles, Emilio Acquizar, Kevin Sanchez, Roland Parawan, Jesena Teresita and Guy Unabia.
Garcia said the former employees were known associates of Rama.
Garcia said Rama isn’t required to return the radios since the units weren’t issued in his name; however, he believes informing Rama could help convince the former employees to return the equipment and file an acknowledgment receipt for clearance purposes. / EHP