Rama’s handpicked treasurer ends term

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City treasurer Diwa Cuevas has ended her temporary appointment Monday and has since returned to the city’s accounting office where she holds a plantilla position as accountant IV.

Assistant treasurer Tessie Camarillo is now temporarily taking charge of the treasury department until Mayor Michael Rama appoints a permanent city treasurer.

Cuevas said she received on Monday an order from the Department of Finance informing her that her term as acting treasurer has ended. She was appointed by Rama on September 2, 2013.

Rama has requested her temporary appointment to be extended to March 2014. Another extension was granted in September last year.

According to Cuevas, she could not anymore be granted with a third extension because the law only allows two term extensions.

Because of the order, Cuevas said she has immediately ceased from signing vouchers and checks.

“That was my last extension. I do not know unsay mahitabo karon,” she said, adding that the decision as to who will be the city treasurer is up to the mayor and the DOF.

Cuevas, however, is among the four City Hall officials who have applied for the position. Aside from her, the other applicants are Camarillo, acting city accountant Mark Salomon, and Emma Villarete, who is currently assigned at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Cuevas said that the Bureau of Local Government Finance-7 has returned her application since it lacked documents like the photocopy of her license as certified public accountant, photocopies of the seminars that she attended and other documents.

“Mo-comply pa ko sa akong kuwang nga requirements. Ang uban pud applicants kay kuwang pud og requirements,” she said. — (FREEMAN)