THE transition team of Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival plans to meticulously review the City’s expenditure and development fund, including the P12.1 billion in bank deposits announced by outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
Former city administrator Nigel Paul Villarete, a key member of Archival’s team, believes Garcia’s announcement regarding the substantial bank deposits was likely a proposed budget. He shared this view in an interview on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
“I think Garcia announced a proposed budget. It’s just proposed, we need to review the details of the financial records to check if it will be possible,” Villarete said. He added that this review should be straightforward and quick. “We’ll just review the figures,” he said.
He highlighted the “very significant” cooperation from the current administration, which he views positively. However, he emphasized the importance of the review.
“The more important issue is the content of the budget on what priorities are funded. The budget should reflect the mayor’s agenda and priorities, which is why Archival will have to review it.” He framed the review of expenditures as a matter of “prudence” on Archival’s part.
Villarete explained that typically, around 70 to 80 percent of a City’s budget goes to personal services and maintenance and other operating expenses, while 20 percent or more is allocated to the development fund, which reflects the mayor’s thrust and priorities. The Cebu City Council previously approved a P14.6 billion budget for 2025.
While annual budgets are approved before the prior year ends, Villarete noted that Archival’s team would be particularly concerned about any “spending spree” by the previous mayor(s) prior to the turnover. “Of course, Archival would be concerned if the previous mayor(s) had been on a spending spree prior to turnover. Delicadeza dictates that they shouldn’t, but we don’t know,” he said.
He assured that any such spending spree would eventually come to light.
“It will be known after turnover because a spending spree can’t be hidden. All documents have dates,” Villarete added.
Despite being out of town, Villarete expressed optimism that Archival’s transition team would meet their targets by the end of the month, just in time for the official turnover on June 30.
“This is my third time as part of a transition team (first in 2001, second in 2017) and so far everything has been going on smoothly as before. I am confident Archival would be coming into a good start,” Villarete concluded, drawing on his extensive experience in City Government transitions. / JPS