Council to tackle JVR’s proposal after sacking treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - The draft resolution of Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes, seeking to appoint a new signatory to checks and other transactions, will be the highlight of the City Council's regular session today.

De los Reyes, also known as “JVR,” is asking the approval of council in appointing Anunciacion Ante, the assistant city treasurer, to be the new signatory.

This after the mayor relieved Emma Macuto as the city treasurer, citing the pending investigation of the Commission on Audit on some of the treasury department’s transactions.

JVR’s draft resolution was sent to Councilor Edward Alesna's office so the latter can officially propose the measure. Alesna is the chairman of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, Ways and Means.

Alesna separately said he will present the resolution to his colleagues and study whether the approval is under the bounds of law.

He said Macuto is under the direct supervision of the Bureau of Local Government Finance and not of the city mayor. However, whenever there is any request, the city mayor would address his concern to the BLGF.

Earlier, Macuto stayed in her office and came back to signing checks after Hermigilda Garsula, chief of BLGF-7, sent her a letter telling her to still act as the city treasurer.

Macuto is still seeking for a legal opinion whether she could file charges against JVR for his recent actions.

Macuto said her lawyer sent a letter to JVR to rescind his executive order transferring her to the public market in Tabunok.

She also maintained the mayor had never sent any communication to their higher office over her transfer.

Macuto's daughter, Hazel Bathan, was also transferred to the Cooperative Office and then to the Office of City Planning and Development Council from being the chief of the Human Resource Division.

The mother-daughter duo has blamed politics for the situation they have found themselves in. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc of BANAT News