Rama wants Villarete out

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants Acting City Treasurer Emma Villarete replaced as officer-in-charge of the City Treasurer’s Office when her term expires on July 16.

In his letter to Director Salvador Del Castillo, Executive Director of the Bureau of Local Government-Finance (BLGF), the mayor endorsed the names of former acting city treasurer Ofelia Oliva, her son, Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva, and City Accountant Diwa Cuevas.

“The above-named nominees enjoy the utmost trust and confidence of the undersigned. Your prompt response is highly appreciated,” the mayor said in his letter.

Section 470 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code empowers the mayor to submit at least three names of eligible recommendees for the position of treasurer in his municipality or city.

“The treasurer shall be appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list of at least three ranking, eligible recommendees of the governor (in the case of the provincial treasurer) or mayor as the case may be, subject to civil service law, rules and regulations.”

Once the Department of Finance receives the letter, they will evaluate the qualifications of the three recommended persons to ensure that all of them meet the qualification requirements.

Of the three names that Rama recommended, only Cuevas is not under the BLGF because she is directly employed as a regular employee of the Cebu City government, although she can apply to be part of the BLGF, if she wants to.

For her part, Villarete recognized that Rama has the prerogative to recommend the person of his choice to become the city treasurer.

 â€œMaayo ra pud, walay problema,” she said.

Once the BLGF designates a new city treasurer, Villarete will  go back to her old position as assistant city treasurer for administration.  (FREEMAN)