Why does an aide of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama still receive his full salary despite failing to liquidate P1 million worth of cash advances?
The City Council has asked City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas to answer this.
In a privilege speech yesterday, Councilor Alvin Dizon challenged the status of Carlos “Charlie” Diaz Reyes III, whose attention was called by auditors for not liquidating cash advances.
Reyes, supervisor of the Cebu City Sports Institute, earlier said the cash advances were used to provide trophies and prizes for barangay sports events. He availed of P4.7 million worth of cash advances since 2012 but has not finished liquidating about P1 million.
Dizon said the payroll from Jan. 1 to July 31 this year showed that Reyes continues to receive his full P13,716 monthly pay without deductions contrary to the treasurer’s statement in last Tuesday’s budget session that Reyes is no longer receiving his salary.
“Cuevas has to explain this glaring discrepancy in her statements,” Dizon said.
Dizon said the City Legal Office and treasurer should file court cases against those who didn’t liquidate their advances even after 30 days grace period.
The City Council called on City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo to investigate Reyes and submit a report in two weeks.
Reyes is one of several City Hall employees and officials whose unliquidated cash advances since 2007 total P99.9 million. The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered City Hall officials to collect the amount.
“I cannot give an exact amount right now because there are many employees who made unliquidated cash advances,” Cuevas said.