Mayor Rama’s choice appointed treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - "I thank God that now I have my own treasurer."

After finally getting his chief of police, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also got his favored city treasurer.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima signed August 8 the immediate appointment of Diwa Cuevas as the new city treasurer for Rama's second term of office.

The appointment is initially valid for a period of six months starting from the date of actual assumption, as ordered by Purisima.

The mayor thanked the cabinet secretary as well as his political ally, Vice President Jejomar Binay, for helping speed up the formal appointment of a new city treasurer.

Rama called Binay to assist him in urging the finance department to choose and sign the appointment.

Cuevas, Rama's OIC city accountant during his first term, was among the endorsed names by the mayor before the Bureau of Local Government Finance of the Department of Finance.

Last week, Rama told reporters he got a text message from Purisima informing him that the cabinet secretary just signed the appointment of Cebu City's new treasurer but no name was mentioned.

"Of course this is now a very bright development towards what we wish to prepare, that is, preparation for our supplemental budget and annual budget. This is already going to be handled my own chosen treasurer," said Rama.

Based on the formal communication from BLGF 7 Regional Director Carmelane Tugas, turnover of accountabilities between the incoming and outgoing treasurers will be between September 2 and 4.

Since Rama assumed his second term last July 1, outoing treasurer Emma Villarete was transferred to the Cebu City Medical Center as Cashier IV.

"CCMC is a big department that has long needed an accountant, a treasurer, because we are talking of millions of people over there. And that will bring her to continue to do her part in the area of treasury," he said.

The mayor said he will sit down and discuss with city administrator Atty. Jose Marie Poblete on who will replace Cuevas as city accountant because unlike the city treasurer's position, only Rama's signature is needed in choosing the city accountant. — /JPM (FREEMAN)