Saturday, February 09, 2008 Former Cebu City treasurer Oliva denies P14M 'unexplained wealth'
FORMER Cebu City treasurer Ofelia Oliva denied accumulating some P14 million in “unexplained wealth.”
The Office of the Ombudsman has placed the former Cebu City department head under a six-month preventive suspension based on a complaint filed by the Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) before the anti-graft office in Manila.
In a six-page order, Tanodbayan Merceditas Gutierrez initiated the suspension that will last six months or less if the investigation against the official for dishonesty and grave misconduct gets terminated early.
In the complaint, the DOF-RIPS disclosed that Oliva only filed a Statement of Assets, Liabilities and net worth (SALN) only once in the 34 years she’s been in service–in 2004.
And when she did, she “committed perjury when she denied under oath that she owns real property and motor vehicles.”
But Oliva, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, said there was an error in identifying her as the owner of the property she allegedly did not declare in her SALN.
In a separate development, the anti-graft office yesterday ordered the municipal assessor of Argao, Cebu dismissed from service for grave misconduct.
Annie Seares, in an anti-graft office press statement, allegedly solicited some P25,000 from a landowner in exchange for facilitating the sale and transfer of a parcel of land to the Philippine Christadelphian Bible Mission.
In a six-page ruling, Gutierrez said Seares admitted to receiving the money “in consideration of the assistance.”
Seares still has 15 days to submit a motion for reconsideration though.
Seares, according to radio reports, has served as the municipal assessor of Argao for 30 years. She was not at work yesterday and supposedly went on a trip to the city.
Argao Assistant Municipal Assessor Nora Bajenteng said they were all surprised to hear of the dismissal.
They said while they knew of the case, they didn’t realize that the penalty “could be that harsh.”
Land
But unlike Seares, Oliva’s suspension is not a penalty but to facilitate the formal investigation.
The DOF-RIPS submitted documents that purportedly support its claim of illegally amassed wealth.
The agency alleged that Oliva owns residential lots in Paradise Village in Barangay Kasambagan, and on Alviola St. of Barangay Tejero, both in Cebu City.
Moreover, she supposedly likewise owns a residential building on Alviola St.
They also furnished the ombudsman documents from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which shows that Oliva owns a 2004 Mitsubishi sedan, a 1996 Mitsubishi Gallant sedan and a 1994 Volkswagen.
“From the facts and the evidence presented, there is strong indication that (Oliva) is administratively guilty of dishonesty or grave misconduct, for having acquired wealth disproportionate to his lawful income, in the aggregate amount of P14 million,” Gutierrez’s order said.
She also directed Oliva to file her counter-affidavit within 10 days from receipt of the order.
Names
Oliva, now the acting head of Calamba City Treasurer’s Office, denied the allegations.
“Never mind the story about me. I’m used to it as part of my job as a treasurer and a government employee. There is no truth in the allegations. Time will come for you to know the truth. Matod pang (former first lady) Imelda (Marcos), the truth will set you free,” she said in a phone interview.
Oliva said there was an error on the part of the Cebu City Assessor’s Office when it certified that the property in Tejero is owned by Ofelia Mendoza Oliva. It was later learned that the lot was registered under the name of a certain Ofelia Herrera Mendoza.
“We are two different persons. I’m hoping that this Ofelia Herrera Mendoza will come out and clarify that she is not me, just to clear my name,” she explained.
However, Oliva clarified that the Cebu City Assessor’s Office already issued a certification clarifying that Oliva and Mendoza are two different persons.
“But you know the damage had been done. I’m just waiting for the investigation to close. Life is really unfair because if life is fair then there is no challenge at all. But God knows that the more trials he gives us, he will also give us success in the end,” she added.
Rise
As to the cars she allegedly owns, Oliva said, “Sus intawn. Pila ra man nang Volkswagen nga pwerti na karaana (I only own an old Volkswagen)”
In 2001, Oliva, who was then the Dumaguete City treasurer, swapped posts with Eustaquio Cesa upon the request of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who openly declared his dissatisfaction with Cesa’s performance.
A daughter of retired judge Alejandro Mendoza of Mandaue City, Oliva rose from being a market collector in the 1970s to a Mandaue City assistant treasurer in the 1980s.
She was often seen clad in miniskirts and high heels when she took over the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office in October 2001.
Her subordinates did not mind the way she dressed.
They used to say that it was her way of impressing to her staff that she is always right when it comes to collection of revenues.
Some Cebu City Hall sources said that apart from Oliva’s unique management style, Osmeña was also impressed with her good sense of humor.
Having idolized Osmeña, Oliva said she has always mentioned the Cebu City mayor in all her revenue collection lectures.
“He has the political will. Cebu has its glory because of Mayor Osmeña. That’s why I am proud to be a Cebuano. Wa ko magpakauwaw sa akong pagkasugbuanon,” Oliva said (I will not shame the Cebuanos).
After her stint at City Hall she was later assigned to Pasay City as an officer-in-charge (OIC) and last November assumed as OIC of the Calamba City Treaurer’s Office.
She no longer wears miniskirts and makeup, though, because she says Calamba’s mayor is “conservative.” (KNR/GAC)
