Archival taps ‘familiar face’ to lead treasurer’s office

Local

CEBU Cith Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. is looking to install a familiar face in the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

This follows the Ombudsman’s dismissal order against incumbent Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes over a controversial P239-million garbage deal.

In an interview on Wednesday, July 30, Archival said he is eyeing Emma Villarete, a former city treasurer and long-time city official, as a potential successor to Reyes.

“She’s already familiar with the job. And for me, that would allow the work to continue faster,” Archival said in Cebuano. “Although there are still documents we need to submit, we are already preparing. But I will only implement it officially once I receive the Ombudsman’s order.”

Villarete previously served as the CTO and has held various finance-related posts within City Hall. Her possible return comes amid a looming reshuffle of key city officials following the Ombudsman’s dismissal of Reyes and seven others involved in the allegedly irregular garbage hauling contract signed in 2021.

Archival said that while preparations are ongoing, the city has yet to receive a formal copy of the Ombudsman’s ruling. Once it does, the mayor said he is ready to act swiftly.

Reyes was among eight City Hall officials ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to an administrative complaint involving alleged overpayments, falsified documents, and other irregularities in waste disposal contracts entered during the previous administration.

The Ombudsman also found probable cause to file criminal charges against the group for violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and malversation of public funds.

The dismissal order carries with it penalties including the forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and a ban on taking any civil service examinations.

Respondents in the case said the ruling is not yet final and executory. Former city administrator Floro Casas Jr., also among those dismissed, said they will exhaust legal remedies.

“I will file a motion for reconsideration as soon as I receive the official copy of the decision,” Casas said.

John Jigo Dacua, chief of the Department of Public Services (DPS), also said he will challenge the ruling.

“We respect the Ombudsman’s decision, and I’m relieved that the plunder charge was dismissed. Still, we will take the necessary legal steps,” Dacua said.

The complaint was originally filed in 2022 by then-Mayor Michael Rama, citing alleged anomalies in a multimillion-peso garbage contract that was awarded without public bidding.

Appointing a new city treasurer, however, will require coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), specifically the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), which supervises and approves appointments to local treasurer posts.

Archival said the City Government is already preparing the necessary paperwork for the possible transition at the CTO, but emphasized he would only proceed upon receiving formal documentation from the Ombudsman.(TGP)