Cuevas stays until March

CEBU, Philippines - Despite  the 12 administrative complaints filed by former congressman Tomas Osmeña against her, the Department of Budget and Finance has extended the appointment of Diwa Cuevas as Cebu City treasurer until March next year.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima approved Mayor Michael Rama’s August 13 request for Cuevas to stay longer as city treasurer.

The order took effect last September 2, extending Cuevas’ stay up to March 2, 2015, unless revoked sooner.

The August 26 appointment letter Purisima signed stated that Cuevas is entitled to two extensions, as stipulated in the Department Personnel Order No. 335-03 dated October 1, 2003.

“The second extension is the last extension of the designation of Cuevas as OIC City Treasurer of Cebu City,” Purisima said.

In an interview, Rama said he made the request because he has “trust on the capability and capacity of…Cuevas.”

Osmeña last month filed administrative complaints against Cuevas before the Civil Service Commission-7 and asked for her termination from City Hall.

The complaints stemmed from  the 2012 Commission on Audit report noting “irregularity, insufficiency and omissions on the various records” of the city government’s transactions at the time when Cuevas headed the Accounting Department.

Cuevas said she has yet to submit her counter-affidavits to the CSC.

“This was answered properly by Cuevas years ago. Unsay ganahan niya (Osmeña) mangita ko’g treasurer nga wa ka-graduate or kanang ilang treasurer?” Rama said.

“Intellectually, courage-wise, industry-wise, creativity-wise and all wise, Diwa Cuevas has it, all of it. It’s just pathetic for anyone to run after my (city) treasurer,” he added.—Kristine B. Quintas/RHM (FREEMAN)