Salaries of nine CH executives withheld pending liquidation

CEBU, Philippines - Nine Cebu City Hall department heads may not be able to collect their salaries at the end of the month and in the succeeding paydays until they are able to liquidate the money given to them for the purchase of the streetlights and decorations during the last Christmas.

City treasurer Ofelia Oliva already issued the liquidation demand to the different department heads. It was however interesting to note that her own department was among the nine departments that have not submitted their liquidation as of yesterday.

The Freeman also learned that Oliva may not be affected by her order even if her department fails to liquidate because she is reportedly collecting her salary in Dumaguete City where she occupies a concurrent position.

“Mora’g sa Dumaguete City man na ang iyang sweldo kay acting treasurer ra man gihapon na ang iyang item dinhi sa Cebu City. Gikan man g’yud na siya sa Dumaguete ug temporaryo lang nga gi-assign dinhi,” a staff at the City Treasurer’s Office said.

Oliva was not available for comment when The FREEMAN called her up yesterday. A staff of her said that the city treasurer was busy attending to several appointments.

The other City Hall departments which failed to liquidate until now are the Department of Engineering and Public Works, Department of Public Services, Management Computer Information Services, Cebu City Medical Center, Market Operations Division, City Agriculture Department, Human Resource Development Office, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries.

The Cebu City Police Office which was also assigned a street to decorate during the last Christmas also failed to submit liquidation.

Each of the City Hall departments has been assigned a particular thoroughfare to decorate ensure that Cebu City is colorful during the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Council wants Oliva to explain the alleged irregularities in the release of the P5 million cash advance for the Christmas decors. Oliva earlier admitted that the amount was released without going through the required pre-audit.

Despite of it Oliva insisted that the transaction was above board because it has the approval from the city administrator and the budget officer.

City Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws, said there were procedural lapses committed by the city treasurer’s office when it encashed the huge amount without the accountant’s advice.

Labella, who was a former director of the Ombudsman, said the transaction cannot be legal considering that the supporting documents were not complete. – (FREEMAN)