Mayor Rama accepts new treasurer for now

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama is left with no choice but to recognize the Finance Department’s designated acting city treasurer Emma Villarete.

Villarete took over last Thursday after Rama’s lawyers failed to get a court injunction stopping Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima’s appointment.

The mayor said he is not giving up efforts to get Ofelia Oliva back “because she has my trust and confidence.”

“My treasurer is still Ofelia Oliva.”

Villarete was designated acting city treasurer in an April 2012 order of the DOF but implementation was put on hold when a petition for injunction was filed by the mayor.

A 20-day temporary restraining order lapsed early this week.

DOF personnel visited City Hall on Thursday morning to assist in the office turnover.

“I will not be there to derail public service whatever will be the new setup,” assured the mayor.

Rama said he was happy that Oliva’s replacement came after the preparation of Supplemental Budget 2 (SB 2) which he will submit to the City Council for approval in its next session.

The mayor is asking Finance Secretary Purisima to clarify his April 2012 order which said Villarete will replace assistant city treasurer Tessie Camarillo when it was Oliva who functioned as city treasurer until Thursday’s turnover, said Rama.