News Briefs

RAMA INSISTS ON NEW TREASURY CHIEF

STAY out of the way or face sanctions.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued this warning to Acting City Treasurer Tessie Camarillo, saying she will face sanctions if  she continue to disregard his memorandum designating assistant treasurer Emma Villarete as her replacement.

“I will have the matter  looked into by the legal office,” he said of her defiance.

The mayor said he instructed Villarete to proceed with her  designated function since he will “take responsibility” for her actions.

Camarillo said in a separate interview that she continues to occupy the treasurers office, sign vouchers and represent the office in various transactions.

“I don’t want to be charged with dereliction of duty,” she said,

Camarillo said Villarete  risks being charged with “usurpation”.

Meanwhile, the City Council questioned why the mayor  didn’t forward to them the letters sent by the Department of Budget of Management (DBM) informing the city that it exceeded the  Personnel Service (PS) limitations by at least P200 million.

Rama said he doesn’t have to explain this to the council. .

“The DBM better send the letters to the council since the mayor’s office is not a courier,” he said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

CONSULTANT UNDER FIRE

Cebu City Consultant Paulino Hubahib came under fire from the Cebu City Council  after he joined the mayor in his  trip to Xiamen, China, as a protocol officer.

The council said that wasn’t his  designation. The council is reviewing Hubahib’s service  contract as consultant for utilities/corporate relations  and Regional Development Council.

Hubahib was told to submit an accomplishment report  to justify the renewal of his contract. Hubahib was authorized by the council to travel to China wth Mayor Michael Rama and other officials last August.

Marlon Douglas Hofer was the previous protocol officer before being transferred to the Public Information Office.

When asked why he assumed as protocol officer, Hubahib said he did so since Hofer had just vacated the  post at the time. Ryan Necitas Echevarria was designated  protocol officer by Mayor Rama.  Correspondent Edison delos Angeles