Cuevas gets 10 days more to answer Tomas’ plaints

CEBU, Philippines – The Bureau of Local Government Finance-7 has granted the request of Cebu City Accountant and designated officer-in-charge City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas for an extension to submit her counter-affidavit on the case filed by former Cebu City south district Representative Tomas Osmeña.

Regional Director Herminigilda Garsula gave Cuevas 10 days from receipt of the order to answer the allegations filed against her.

“In the interest of fairness and for a comprehensive evaluation and consideration of this matter, the said motion for extension of time is hereby granted,” read the order granting the request.

Reportedly, this is the second extension Cuevas asked for her to submit her counter-affidavit. Garsula granted all motions.

Osmeña has earlier filed 26 administrative cases against Cuevas in relation to Commission on Audit’s discovery of several lapses in the city government’s financial transactions in 2013.

The alleged lapses include the granting of P20,000 as calamity financial assistance to officials and employees of Cebu City, which was sourced from an account under the City Administrator’s Office, not from the calamity fund, and the transactions were recorded as donations.

Osmeña alleged that based on the COA findings, the financial assistance under the donations account was irregular.

On November 10, the BLGF directed Cuevas to submit her counter-affidavit to answer why she should not be administratively charged for the alleged irregularities mentioned by Osmeña.

Garsula said that on November 11, they received a motion for extension to file counter-affidavit that Cuevas requested.

Cuevas cited “pressures of equally urgent professional work and prior commitment,” which included budget hearings with the City Council, kept her busy so that she “has yet to confer with her counsel and available witnesses.” — /RHM (FREEMAN)