• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Opting to submit a position paper instead of an investigation and hearing, former Isabela municipal treasurer officer-in-charge Nenette Escarda was given 10 days by the Provincial Legal Office to submit her answer to administrative charges filed against her.
Escarda is facing administrative charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and malversation of public funds, for the missing P6.4 million in cash and checks, which she claimed was stolen from her house in Bacolod City.
She had been slapped with a 60-day preventive suspension by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, pending investigation into the missing government funds.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., yesterday said that they are expected to resolve the charges filed against Escarda within 60 days.
Based on the cash examination 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 the cut-off date.
Since the charges filed against her are considered grave offenses, Nellas said Escarda faces a penalty of dismissal from government service, perpetual disqualification to hold public office and forfeiture of her benefits, if proven guilty.*
