BLGF approves appointment of new Cebu City treasurer

The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) has finally approved the appointment of Emma Villarete as the new Cebu City treasurer, bringing a sigh of relief to City Hall employees whose salaries have been delayed due to the absence of an authorized signatory.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/FPL

This was confirmed by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who was delegated by Mayor Nestor Archival to help fast-track the treasurer's appointment before Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

For weeks, Cebu City Hall had been unable to release disbursement checks, including salaries, after former city treasurer Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes and other officials were dismissed over the multi-million garbage deal anomaly.

Following Archival's request, Osmeña said he took action with Secretary Recto to address the frozen salaries, which eventually led to the approval of Villarete's appointment.

Osmeña revealed, however, that there had been maneuvering to appoint another treasurer with a record of dismissal to sign the city's checks in the absence of a formally appointed one.