MAYOR Honey Lacuna said the department heads of the Manila city government will remain the same.
The first lady mayor issued the statement amid persistent questions and allegations that she issued a statement saying she will axe those who are non-performing or even conduct a reshuffle.
Lacuna also laughed off allegations that she will revoke the positions of department heads saying there is no such thing as a revocation of department head positions in local government.
“Nakakatawa lang kasi ngayon lang ako nakarinig na nire-revoke ang posisyon ng department head? Naiintindihan ba nila sinasabi nila? I just hope people will stop putting words into my mouth specially if they are offensive to others,” Lacuna said, as she defended the city officials none of whom can be described as non-performing.
Lacuna said that all the projects that she and former Mayor Isko Moreno embarked on were successful because of the efficient participation and support of all heads of departments, bureaus and offices in City Hall.
She also explained that traditionally, when a new head wins in an election, all officials of the local or national government office he holds tender their courtesy resignation in order to give the new leader a free hand to choose whoever he wants to retain or replace.
As such, she said there is no need to revamp or remove anyone, stressing there is no such thing as revoking a position at all.
Lacuna said this is not the first time that she had been a victim of fake news, noting that right after winning the elections, she was quoted as having said that she was offering her two rivals positions in the local government, which she said was untrue and impossible.
She said the positions of those who have resigned for health reasons, being retired and other significant reasons are the only ones where new heads will have to be assigned for the office to continue functioning.
Meanwhile, Lacuna also said that she did not mention anything about planning to examine the projects of Mayor Isko since she is a part of all the said projects and thus know all of them inside out.
Lacuna said: “Ano ang ie-examine ko eh magkasama kami ni mayor sa lahat ng projects?”
Moreno had been citing Lacuna’s readiness to lead the city, saying she had always been an active part of all his projects and undertakings not only as his vice mayor but also as the concurrent Presiding Officer of the Manila City Council. (Baby Cuevas)
