Rama studying law over Cuevas snub

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is consulting the Local Government Code on what recourse he would take after the City Council recently refused to confirm the appointment of Diwa Cuevas as City accountant.

“We will look into that. Depende na unsay atong angay buhaton (It depends what actions we are taking). We will check with the local government code…some provisions,” Rama told reporters yesterday.

In a separate interview, City Attorney Jerone Castillo said fulfillment of the minimum requirement for the city accountant post is already enough for the council to approve Cuevas’ appointment.

“According to the Local Government Code, it is actually confirmation and not concurrence. In my humble opinion, you cannot deny a confirmation if the candidate is qualified. Concurrence should be limited to whether or not na-meet niya ang minimum requirement of being an accountant,”  he said.

Castillo said there are “several” Supreme Court cases where the Civil Service Commission was “scolded” over a similar situation, when appointments of qualified nominees were denied.

Cuevas, currently the City treasurer, was endorsed by Rama to become permanent city accountant.

The City Council, dominated by allies of Rama’s political opponent, former mayor Tomas Osmeña, questioned why Cuevas wants to be confirmed as permanent city accountant when she is currently serving as city treasurer, whose appointment would end in 2014 yet.

Yesterday, the mayor said that while the council has the power to concur to an appointment or act otherwise, his act of “exercising ministerial function” in endorsing Cuevas as city accountant is not covered by its powers.

“If all the qualifications are in, then there is no reason for them not to concur,” Rama said.

The council had said it has no objections on to the qualifications and work efficiency of Cuevas, but it expressed confusion over with Cuevas wants to hold the permanent position of city accountant while actually functioning as OIC city treasurer.

It denied her request when she failed to submit a written consent from the  Commission on Audit allowing her to help out in reconciling the City’s audit books serving as OIC city treasurer.— /RHM (FREEMAN)