FORMER Cebu City mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, denied allegations that his administration purchased customized shirts worth P20,000 each, calling the claim “fake news” and politically motivated.
Garcia responded to statements made by Mayor Nestor Archival and Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who earlier questioned procurement transactions under the previous administration, including the alleged overpriced shirts and a luxury BYD electric vehicle.
He challenged Archival and Osmeña to present documents proving that such shirts were bought for P20,000 apiece. He said the price was inflated and not supported by City Hall records.
According to Garcia, sublimation-printed or collared shirts procured during his term cost between P500 and P600, based on official quotations and supporting documents. He said no P20,000-per-unit order was made under his administration.
“I have to speak out because I have a reputation to protect,” Garcia said, adding that neither Archival nor Osmeña has shown evidence to support the accusation.
Legal action
Garcia warned that he is considering legal action, including the filing of criminal and civil cases and a cyberlibel complaint if no public apology is issued.
In response, Archival said the information about the P20,000 shirts was based on raw and unverified data gathered during a preliminary assessment of the City’s operations and finances. He said he was still conducting a full review.
He added that he was misquoted in his earlier interview with the reporters last Saturday, July 5, at Barangay Luz, as he emphasized that the information about the T-shirt price was raw and unverified.
“Pasayloa ko (Forgive me), mayor, kay ang nahitabo ana (because what happned was), these are all raw, and these are not verified, and were all relayed to me,” Archival said.
While backing away from the shirt claim, Archival stood by his statement that the City Government under the previous administration incurred a budget deficit. He initially estimated the shortfall at P2 billion to P3 billion but said recent figures place it at P6 billion.
Electric vehicle
On the issue of the BYD Tang electric vehicle, Garcia clarified that no public funds were used for the P4.4-million unit. He said the procurement was not completed and that the transaction was canceled before the May 2025 elections.
He said the vehicle was requested by Office of the Building Official head Florante Catalan in compliance with a law requiring all government agencies, including local governments, to ensure that at least 10 percent of their vehicle fleets are electric.
Garcia said the City had zero electric vehicles at the time. However, he added that deficiencies in the purchase terms prompted him to seek a legal opinion from the City Legal Office, which issued an unfavorable response, leading to the cancellation.
Osmeña earlier disclosed that the BYD unit had been registered to the City Government on April 24 but was returned after the elections.
Garcia said accusations surrounding the procurement may be aimed at undermining his credibility ahead of the 2028 elections, although he downplayed speculation about a political comeback.
“2028 is still far away,” he said. / EHP