Young: Council did not authorize case vs. DOF

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said he will write to court that the case filed by the Cebu City Government against Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, was not authorized by the Cebu City Council.

Young said he disagrees with Cebu Councilor Jose Daluz III’s statement the other day that the council authorization is not needed in filing a case.

The Cebu City government, through Mayor Michael Rama, filed a case against Purisima over the relief of City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva as Purisima designated Acting Assistant City Treasurer Emma Villarete in charge of the treasurer’s office without saying where Oliva will be reassigned.

The mayor filed a case against Purisima for alleged abuse of discretion. He believes that it is the Bureau of Local Government and Finance that should designate a treasurer to the local government unit by virtue of delegated functions and that the finance department must also choose only from the list of names nominated by the mayor.

Daluz earlier said that Rama does not need authorization from the city council to file a case in court so that the interest of the city will be protected. He said that Rama already has the authority being the chief executive.

“The city is a public corporation. Whenever you need to file a case, you need a board resolution, ergo it is the city council resolution,” Young said.

Young also disagreed with the statement of Daluz that it will be Rama’s first time to seek the council’s authorization in filing a case in court, since he also sought the council’s authorization in filing the Rallos case.

Rama said he will just let Young file a complaint. He said it is not all the time that everything should pass by the council, especially as the function is executive and he does not have a “friendly” council.

Daluz earlier said that the mayor had to question the order of Purisima replacing Oliva because they believe that the treasury is in better hands with Oliva who has the trust and confidence of the mayor.

They considered going directly to the Office of the President, but since it was an urgent matter, they had to resort to the court.

“Tarungon unta mi nila ug storya kay maminaw man ta mi. They said this is urgent, pero sa ilang gibuhat, mosamot pa nuon ni kadugay,” Young said. –(FREEMAN)