Council defers naming treasurer as city accountant…

CEBU, Philippines - For “reserving” the city accountant post, OIC City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas was told by the Cebu City Council yesterday to wait until March next year.

By then, her appointment as city treasurer would have expired she could already pursue her confirmation as permanent city accountant.

“We are confused because you are the OIC treasurer and now you will be holding the permanent position of being the city accountant? If we concur with your appointment, what happens to the accounting office?” asked City Councilor Margarita Osmeña.

City Councilor Gerry Carillo also said that if they accede to Cuevas’request, it would be “awkward” since she would be the city accountant and city treasurer at the same time.

“It is an awkward position. How can you review the very job that you are functioning? The accountant checks on the work of the treasurer. You cannot review the right hand by using your left hand,” he said.

Cuevas was present during the city council session yesterday because of her request for appointment as city accountant.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales suggested to the council to wait until Cuevas’ six-month appointment as city treasurer ends in March 2014.

City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. also urged Cuevas to “make up your mind” to either go back to being an accountant or become a treasurer.

City Councilor Lea Japson, on the other hand, also revealed here “observation” that Cuevas applied for the position of city accountant despite having city employees who are “qualified” for the post.

Cuevas, though, said that her application for the permanent position of city accountant was processed before Mayor Michael Rama endorsed her for consideration by the Bureau of Local Government Finance as one of the nominees for city treasurer.

She complained that it is “unfair” for her to receive a supervisor’s salary while functioning as city treasurer, which is a department head post.

To appease the council members’ worries, Cuevas said she would work as city treasurer even if appointed as permanent city accountant because she is confident to leave the function in the hands of Josephine Gonzales, her “mentor” at the accounting office.

Still, majority of the council members, who belong to the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), was not convinced.

Sought for his comment over what happened to Cuevas, Rama said he could not understand what the council majority did.

 â€œFor example, the late DILG secretary Jessie Robredo, his appointment came after he died in a plane crash. Unsa may sala ni Cuevas(what did Cuevas do wrong)?” he said.

“Unsa may problema nila (What is their problem with the appointment)? Whatever. They should have been helping instead of making it an embarrassment. Are they embarrassing Cuevas?” he added.

Rama used to be a BOPK member before forming his own party and winning over BOPK stalwart Tomas Osmeña in the elections last May.

Rama said Cuevas is an accountant the council should have approved her request even though she is acting as city treasurer right now

As to Cuevas’ compensation, the mayor said that “can be discussed”. —(FREEMAN)