The Cebu City Council has approved a motion seeking a legal opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding the conflicting workweek schedules currently implemented by the executive and legislative departments at City Hall.
This move came after Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. delivered a privilege speech on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, expressing concern over operational confusion caused by conflicting orders issued by Mayor Nestor Archival and Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Earlier, Archival scrapped the compressed four-day workweek arrangement for the executive department, reverting offices to the regular five-day schedule. However, the legislative department under Osmeña continues to implement a four-day compressed workweek from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, with legislative offices closed every Friday.
According to Alcover, the conflicting schedules have caused confusion among the public seeking government services. He noted that legislative offices can no longer effectively coordinate with executive offices after 5 p.m. because executive employees are following regular office hours. Similarly, executive employees needing approvals or documents from the legislative department on Fridays cannot transact due to the closure.
Alcover also questioned the sincerity of the city's reason for energy conservation. He observed that while the legislative department continues the compressed workweek to save electricity, the city simultaneously implements the 24/7 "Mayor of the Night" government service hub at Cebu IT Park.
Osmeña defended the four-day schedule, stating that legislative functions are not frontline services and that council members can use Fridays to spend more time in barangays. He rejected allegations that the legislative department is not prioritizing public service and touted the city's 24/7 "Mayor of the Night" office.
Councilor Sisinio Andales also explained that legislative employees still comply with the Civil Service Commission's required 40-hour workweek despite the compressed schedule.
