Rama accepts accountant's resignation

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has accepted the resignation of acting city accountant Arlene Rentuza but clarified that he was not blaming the latter for the unsettled obligations of the city government to its contractors and suppliers.

Rentuza tendered her resignation which will take effect on March 31 before Rama could appoint her replacement. The Mayor earlier announced that he is replacing the acting city accountant because he wants documents processed faster at the accounting department.

Rama blamed Rentuza for the delays in the payments of the city’s financial obligations to its contractors and suppliers. The Mayor got irked upon learning that the city’s suppliers of packed meals and construction materials for fire victims and other calamity victims did not supply them during the T. Padilla fire last year because of unsettled obligations.

But Rama recently denied blaming Rentuza of the delays in the processing of documents at the accounting department.

 “I never said that,” Rama said.

According to Rama, he did not expect Rentuza to leave government service after serving almost five years in City Hall.

Rama said he will conduct exit interview with Rentuza before her resignation takes effect. Rama said he has not chosen Rentuza’s replacement yet.

Rentuza’s decision to leave the government service was allegedly a product of her seven months soul searching, unceasing prayers for discernment and emotional deliberation with her family.

Rentuza who had been an assistant department head since 2006 before her designation as acting city accountant said she really did not intend to stay in government. (FREEMAN)