• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former acting Isabela municipal treasurer Nenette Escarda is back to work after her 60-day preventive suspension ended April 24, disclosed Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. yesterday.
Escarda faces charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds, over the loss of about P6.4 million in government funds.
Nellas said that the purpose for her preventive suspension, aimed at safeguarding evidence while the probe was being conducted, has already been served.
Escarda is now back to work at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, after her relief from Isabela Municipal Treasurer’s Office.
Nellas said they are now finalizing their investigation report, for submission to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, for appropriate action.
Escarda alleged that the P6.4 million in cash and checks was stolen from inside her house in Bacolod City, in January this year.
The penalty for grave misconduct is dismissal from government service, according to Nellas.
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 the cut-off date.*
