Cebu City Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. has raised serious concerns over the recent approval of a lease for a "Mayor of the Night" office, describing the P12.5 million expenditure as unnecessary and a blatant waste of public money. In a statement issued on February 16, 2026, Alcover revealed he was on sick leave when the City Council passed the resolution on February 10, preventing him from opposing it directly. He is currently recovering from a successful prostate cancer operation.
Alcover's Strong Opposition to the Lease Agreement
Alcover asserted that he would have vehemently opposed the measure if present, arguing that the funds should be redirected to more pressing community needs. "They know I am the number one opponent because it's just a waste of money. That's probably why they rushed to include it in the agenda," Alcover stated. He emphasized that numerous urgent priorities deserve attention first, citing critical shortages at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), including basic supplies like alcohol, as well as unfinished roads and bridges in mountainous barangays.
Questioning the Necessity of the New Office
Furthermore, Alcover questioned why a new office is necessary when the existing City Hall could simply extend its operating hours to 24/7 if service expansion is required. In another social media post, he also challenged Mayor Nestor Archival's announcement that City Hall employees would not receive a Charter Day Bonus due to budget constraints. Alcover pointed out the irony: the city allocated funds for the "Mayor of the Night" project but claimed insufficient resources for the bonus.
"Since I became a councilor, I don't recall a year without a charter bonus... only now under NDA (Nestor D. Archival). I wonder why they keep saying there's no money but can afford to rent a Mayor of the Night office for P12.5 million," Alcover explained. He added that this program highlights poor financial planning and misplaced priorities in the local government.
Details of the Approved Resolution and Defense
On February 10, the council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Nestor Archival to enter into a multi-year lease contract for an office at the Cebu Exchange Tower. This facility will serve as a 24/7 government service center under the "Mayor of the Night" program, with the lease set to run until June 30, 2028. National agencies such as SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, BIR, and PNP are encouraged to participate in this initiative.
The city government will cover expenses for electricity, water, janitorial services, and minor office repairs. During the council discussion, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña defended the project, calling it a positive step to support night shift workers, particularly those in the BPO sector. Osmeña argued that this 24/7 one-stop hub could help reduce daytime crowding, eliminate red tape, and streamline processes like obtaining NBI clearances and handling LTO transactions.
Funding Sources and Broader Implications
Osmeña clarified that the funding comes from savings within the Office of the Vice Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, not from other departmental budgets. While acknowledging it as a "significant risk," he expressed confidence that Cebu could set a national example for round-the-clock government services, potentially improving efficiency and accessibility for residents. However, Alcover's criticisms underscore ongoing debates about fiscal responsibility and the allocation of public resources in Cebu City.
