- GILBERT BAYORAN
Former Isabela municipal treasurer Nenette Escarda faces dismissal from government service, perpetual disqualification to hold public office and forfeiture of her benefits, if proven guilty on the administrative charges filed against her, Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., said.
Escarda was charged by the Provincial Legal Office for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds, in connection with the missing P6.4 million in cash and checks from the Isabela Municipal Treasurer’s Office.
She declared the funds missing and could have been stolen from her house in Bacolod City.
Escarda had been placed under a 60-day preventive suspension by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, pending investigation of the missing government funds.
Opting to submit a position paper, instead of an investigation hearing, Nellas said that Escarda has been given 10 days to submit her answer to the administrative charges filed against her.
Based on the cash examination by the Commission on Audit, dated Jan. 31, Escarda also committed the following irregularities in her cash accountability: P6,629,146.18 in collections remained undeposited, as of Jan. 20, and P972,000 in cash advances remained unliquidated, as of cut-off date.
Nellas said they are targeting to complete the investigation and render a resolution on the charges filed against Escarda within 60 days./GB
