Prov’l treasurer position still belongs to Salubre

Even after two years since the provincial treasurer of the Capitol was dismissed from office, no one has been appointed yet as permanent treasurer of the Province of Cebu.

This is because, technically, the position for provincial treasurer is not vacant.

Assistant provincial treasurer Emmanuel Guial yesterday said the position still belongs to lawyer Roy Salubre, who was earlier dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in January 2013 for grave misconduct over his alleged involvement in the purchase of the Balili property in the City of Naga.

However, the Court of Appeals in April 2013 nullified the decision and cleared Salubre along with former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, former Provincial Board member Juan Bolo, provincial assessor Anthony Sususco, provincial engineer Eulogio Pelayre and provincial budget officer Emme Gingoyon.

“Ang item sa provincial treasurer wala pa na siya ma-open, nagpabilin ang position ni lawyer Roy Salubre as provincial treasurer,” said Guial during the weeky Kapistorya Forum at the Capitol.

Guial is taking charge of the office as mandated by the Local Government Code.

“So far, if the income of the province supports the requirements of the province, nagpasabot na siya nga we are okey in terms of operations,” said Guial.

Salubre could not be reached for comment but Guial said Salubre had already asked Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega and Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino for his reinstatement.

But Ortega has reportedly said he still has to wait for the finality of CA decision.

When Davide assumed office in May 2013, he eyed Guial to fill in the position of provincial treasurer after the designation of Yolanda Cabando as officer-in-charge expired.

Guial was first designated as acting provincial treasurer by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale when the latter acted as governor following the suspension of Garcia in December 17, 2012.

In March 2013, the Bureau of Local Government Finance, an attached agency of the DOF, implemented the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing Salubre from service.

Guial continued holding the position in acting capacity until June 27, 2013 when BLGF designated former Cebu City treasurer, Ofelia Oliva, to head the Provincial Treasurer’s Office for one month under Davide.

But DOF revoked Oliva’s appointment a day after. DOF then designated Cabando as OIC for one month because Guial was on leave. — Gregg M. Rubio/ATO