• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Another employee of the Negros Occidental provincial government has been dismissed from government service, after having been found guilty for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and malversation of public funds.
Based on substantial evidence, former Isabela acting municipal treasurer Nenette Escarda was dismissed from government service, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said an order dated May 8.
While performing her duty as acting treasurer of Isabela, Escarda removed the municipalities’ public funds of P2.6 million in cash and P3.8 million in checks from safekeeping at the Municipal Treasurer’s Office in January this year, according to the investigation conducted by the Provincial Legal Office.
Escarda later claimed that it was stolen from her house in Bacolod City, based on police blotter reports.
Based on cash examinations conducted by the Commission on Audit on January 31, COA found irregularities in the cash accountability of Escarda, including her failure to deposit P6,629,146.18 cash collections and unliquidated cash advances of P972,000.
Based on her answer to the show cause order issued to her, Escarda admitted her negligence in bringing home the cash and checks, pertaining to the municipal funds of Isabela. At the same time, she admitted that such act is unacceptable and impermissible, the PLO investigation further showed.
Lacson said the dismissal of Escarda from the service shall carry the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, bar from taking civil service examinations, and forfeiture of retirement benefits, as provided by law.*
