DILG-7 steps in differences between Yapha, Osmeña

CEBU, Philippines —  Employees of the Toledo City government can now receive their salaries after days of delay due to the political rift between the two top city officials.

Acting Mayor Antonio Yapha, Jr. and suspended mayor John Henry Osmeña settled on Friday on whoever gets to sign the payroll for the release of the salaries of the City Hall employees.

Officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 yesterday mediated on the differences between the two officials.

What prompted both officials to seek DILG's intervention was that, according to Yapha, the city government already has to provide the salary for the employees but the city treasurer will not honor his signature.

“Ang city treasurer nagtabi mi ganiha sa City Hall. Ang gusto nilang mo sign kay si Senator Osmeña as mayor. Pero dili man ko mosugot kay naa may order sa DILG to sit as the acting mayor,” he told reporters on the sidelines after the meeting ended.

Reportedly, the city treasurer withheld the release of funds due to the confusion on who between the Yapha and Osmeña has the authority to sign the documents or papers at the City Hall.

In a separate interview, Osmeña said a “compromise” agreement was reached where both parties agreed that the city administrator will have to sign the payroll for the release of the employee’s salaries.

However, the clash between both parties remains as the two claims to hold the position as the elected head of the city.

Both Toledo City officials showed up at the DILG-7 office in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Friday where a closed door meeting with DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela and legal officer Ian Kenneth Lucero.

Trovela said discussions during the meeting only revolved on the issue of the signing of the payroll.

The settlement on who sits as the mayor was not raised, he said.

Yapha said he sits as the acting mayor since he does not want to defy the DILG order as it might be tantamount to dereliction of duty.

As far as Osmeña is concerned, he is the mayor of Toledo City.

Lucero said DILG’s order will prevail.

Last August 30, the DILG issued an order for Yapha to assume as acting mayor, while Osmeña has to continue his remaining four months of suspension.

Last May, Osmeña assumed as mayor after the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman suspending him for one year. — GAN (FREEMAN)