Oliva reinstated to Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Taxpayers may once again witness Cebu City’s dancing tax collectors in action.

This after the Bureau of Local Government and Finance reinstated Ofelia Oliva, who is currently detailed as city treasurer of Dumaguete City, as officer-in-charge of Cebu City Treasurer’s Office. Tessie Camarillo will assume her regular position as assistant city treasurer for operations.

“Ms. Ofelia Oliva, city treasurer of Dumaguete City, is hereby designated as officer-in-charge of the city treasurer’s office, Cebu City,” said OIC BLGF Regional Director Carmelane Tugas, who signed the BLGF Regional Special Personnel Order No. 04-2012.

Last January 9, Mayor Michael Rama recommended before the BLGF that Oliva be designated to the position.

The Special Personnel Order was signed last January 12, 2012, and was received yesterday afternoon at the Office of the Mayor.

Based on the order, Oliva will assume as officer-in-charge of the City Treasurer’s Office effective yesterday but only for six months, or until July 15, 2012, unless sooner revoked by the BLGF-Central Office.

However, Tugas said the order is still subject to the confirmation of the Bureau of Local Government Finance executive director.

Oliva, an expert in resource mobilization and collecting from delinquent taxpayers and business establishments, served Cebu City for more than two years before she was transferred to Mandaue City last July and later assigned to Dumaguete City.

Oliva started working as acting city treasurer in 2001 during the term of former mayor and incumbent Rep. Tomas Osmeña. She was then treasurer of Dumaguete City when she swapped posts with Eustaquio Cesa upon the request of Osmeña.

In 2004, she was assigned to Pasay City as officer-in-charge. Oliva also served in Calamba City in 2007 before being reassigned back to Cebu City in 2009 upon the request of Osmeña.

Reportedly, it was Osmeña who asked the BLGF-Manila to transfer Oliva outside Cebu City hall as he prefers Camarillo’s honesty.

Osmeña claimed that Oliva was involved in some anomalous transactions.

Osmeña cited Oliva’s purchase of P5-million worth of Christmas lights in December 2010 without public bidding. This deal also caught the attention of the Commission on Audit because a check was released without the accountant’s advice.

Osmeña also questioned why a lot of City Hall’s money was deposited in the Philippine Veteran’s Bank when such should be spread out to different banks.

Camarillo was instructed by the BLGF to turn over her office accountabilities including all the cash, properties and equipment, books of accounts and accountable forms and clear herself from money and properly accountabilities, to Oliva.

“Ms. Tessie Camarillo, the outgoing OIC-City Treasurer of the same City who will assume her regular position as assistant city treasurer for operations of Cebu City, is hereby instructed to turn-over her office accountabilities to Ms. Oliva,” Tugas said.

BLGF said that the turn

over from the outgoing to the incoming officer shall be conducted by the treasury supervisor from their office and will be witnessed by a representative from the Commission on Audit.

Oliva, however, said that she will continue to receive her salary and allowance as treasurer of Dumaguete City. However, she is hereby authorized to collect RATA at the rates authorized for the position of Assistant City Treasurer of said city.

In a separate interview, Councilor Margot Osmena, who is the chairwoman of the committee on budget and finance, said that she is not yet aware of the return of Oliva but also said she is not surprised. Oliva gained international exposure because of her dancing tax collectors. (FREEMAN)