The former acting treasurer of Isabela, Negros Occidental, who has been formally charged for administrative offenses of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds has opted to submit a position paper instead of undergoing a formal investigation, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas said Friday, March 3.
Nenette M. Escarda, who is under a 60-day preventive suspension, has been given 10 days to submit her position paper, Nellas said.
They will endeavor to resolve her case within the timeframe of her preventive suspension, he added.
If found guilty, she could face the penalty of dismissal from the service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of benefits, Nellas said.
Escarda is facing charges for removing municipal public funds amounting to P2.6 million in cash and P3.8 million in checks from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office of Isabela, which she brought to her house in Bacolod City without any authority to do so, Nellas said.
She then reported that the cash and checks were stolen from her house.
Based on the cash examination conducted by the Commission on Audit dated January 31, Escarda also committed the following irregularities in her cash accountability – P6,629,146.18 in collections remained undeposited as of January 20, and P972,000 in cash advances remained unliquidated as of cut-off date, he said.*