Mayor Rama rejects Rentuza's resignation

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has turned down the resignation of city accountant Arlene Rentuza, which is supposed to take effect today.

Rentuza, who served as city assistant accountant since 2006, tendered her resignation letter to Rama last February 28, after Rama reportedly blamed the accounting office for the delay of City Hall’s payment to its suppliers and contractors.

Rentuza, however, said earlier that her resignation has nothing to do with politics and Rama’s purported announcement that she will be replaced. Rama, however, denied making any announcement to that effect.

Yesterday, Rama announced he did not accept Rentuza’s resignation and instead decided to make her the head of the Internal Audit Service.

In an interview with reporters, Rentuza said Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and City Councilor Joey Daluz III were the ones who called her and convinced her to reconsider her decision, considering that she was part of the internal auditing system, which has the bigger role in running the day-to-day transactions at City Hall.

“I was deeply humbled and could only accede to their request to continue my service in government,” Rentuza said, adding that the mayor even told her to write him to formally withdraw her resignation.

Rentuza started her stint with the city government as assistant city accountant in September 2006 during the term of the former mayor and current Rep. Tomas Osmeña. Before that, she worked in a private company for 25 years.

She was designated as officer-in-charge of the city accountant’s office on November 2008 following the death of former city accountant Edna Jaca. — (FREEMAN)