• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Legal Office will conduct a probe on the missing P7 million in cash and checks, owned by the municipal government of Isabela, Negros Occidental, as reported to the police by its former town treasurer, Nenette Escarda, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. said yesterday.
Nellas said the has received an official endorsement, addressed to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, for appropriate legal action, in connection with the missing cash and checks of the Isabela municipal government.
He also said that Isabela Police Station also submitted an incidence report, as well as the Commission on Audit report, to the PLO.
Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla earlier vowed to hold accountable whoever is found responsible for the loss of the money, amounting to P2.6 million in cash and P3.8 million in checks, which was reported by Escarda missing from her residence in Bacolod City.
“As a general rule, being a treasurer, you’re not supposed to take out funds, from your office,” Nellas said.
“It’s a cause for deeper investigation,” he added.
Escarda was replaced as officer in charge of the Isabela Municipal Treasurer’s Office after the incident was reported, as requested by Montilla.
Nellas stressed that the PLO will only investigate the administrative side of the case, and the findings will be submitted to Mayor Montilla.
If warranted, we will issue a show cause order, he added.*
