JVR bent to remove city treasurer Macuto

CEBU, Philippines - After the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF)-Region VII denied his request for a new city treasurer, Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes will take his case to Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

“I will insist that Emma Macuto be replaced,” De los Reyes said, adding that he has lost his trust and confidence in the treasurer.

Last June 4, De los Reyes wrote Bureau of Local Government Finance-7 regional director Carmelane Tugas to ask for the immediate transfer of Macuto claiming that the treasurer played politics in the last election.

But Tugas said her office cannot act on his request because of the existence Department Personnel Order No. 335-003 of the Department of Finance.

Under the order, the request for relief, transfer, or detail of Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers shall be acted upon only for justifiable reasons and after compliance with the requisites of due process.

The BLGF recognizes the authority of the mayor to exercise administrative supervision over the city treasurer’s office on matters involving tax collection efforts as embodied under Section 470 (b) of the Local Government Code.

But under Section 470 (a) of the code, the power to appoint a treasurer lies with the secretary of DOF through BLGF, as well as the designation of the head of the local treasury department. (FREEMAN)