Relief order shocks city treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - “What violations have I committed that would merit me this relief order?”

An emotional Emma Macuto posed the question to Talisay City Mayor Johnny “JVR” De los Reyes when she spoke to reporters on Thursday, one day after the top city executive stripped her of her position as city treasurer.

For reasons De los Reyes refused to disclose, Macuto was ordered to be assigned as the new administrator of Tabunok Public Market.

The order was received September 29 and was immediately effective the following day. Macuto was attending a seminar hosted by the Bureau of Local Government and Finance when the order was served.

De los Reyes told reporters that he wanted Macuto to vacate her post temporarily so that the Commission on Audit could conduct an investigation thoroughly.

Though he did not state Macuto's supposed violations, he said he wants the latter to submit all documents pertaining to the financial operations of the city.

‘Please  clarify’

Macuto said that while she was willing to abide by the mayor's order, she wants clarification on what violations she had committed that resulted to her transfer.

With her relief, Macuto said she will refuse to sign checks for the release of government funds for various appropriations, including the salaries of Liga ng mga Barangay, remittances to Bureau of Internal Revenue and others.

In the meantime, she said, the mayor must seek the permission from the City Council to appoint a signatory until such time that the BLGF will approve her replacement.

Now in her 30th year in public service, Macuto could not imagine why she was, from her words, “demoted.”

"Trayenta ka tuig ko nga nagserbisyo ug karon pa ko naingon ini. Akong pag-ila ni mayor buotan pero basin naa sa iyang palibot ang nagsulsol," a teary-eyed Macuto said.

Macuto said she has sought the opinion of BLGF regarding the matter.  Initially, the BLGF reportedly said she must stay put in her office as treasurer.

She also said she will first seek the legal opinion of her lawyer before signing any document to avoid legal issues.

Immediately after the relief order’s serving, there were insinuations that Macuto will be barred from entering the City Hall but nobody attempted to do so when she got to her office yesterday morning.

She believes De los Reyes may have qualms on her loyalty since she was supporting former congressman Eduardo Gullas during his term as the first city mayor. But she was quick to clarify that when JVR became mayor, she had since expressed her support to his administration.

"Sakit kaayo kay wa man ko’y gibuhat nga dautan ug nagtinarong ko sa akong trabaho pero ambot lang naigo lang gyud siguro ko sa politika,” she said.

Gullas  cronies?

In August this year, Macuto’s daughter, Hazel Macuto-Bathan, was also relieved as chief of the city’s Human Resources Division.

Bathan later accused the mayor of politicking and of thinking that she and her mother were cronies of Gullas, something the two vehemently denied.

"Blatant kaayo ang ilang gibuhat nga pamolitika," she said while comforting her mother not to cry and to be strong.

For his part, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante said De los Reyes committed an illegal act by transferring Macuto without due process.

He added that it is not within the mayor's jurisdiction to fire Macuto as the city treasurer is under the direct supervision of the Department of Finance.

He urged Macuto to file charges against the mayor before the Office of the Ombudsman or the Civil Service Commission.  (FREEMAN)