Guv sacks ex-town purser in ‘mystery heist’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the dismissal from service of the former treasurer of Isabela town after she was found guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds.

The dismissal order issued on May 8, 2023 was signed by Lacson late afternoon of May 10.

The Provincial Legal Office recommended the dismissal from service of Nenette Escarda based on substantial evidence gathered in a probe.

The charges were filed against Escarda after she reportedly brought home funds from the town’s treasury amounting to P2.6 million in cash and P3.8 million in checks without authority from the chief executive.

She alleged that the cash and checks were stolen from her house.

A cash examination on Escarda conducted by the Commission on Audit dated January 31, 2023 found that P6,629,146.18 in collections remained undeposited as of January 20, 2023 and P972,000 in cash advances remained unliquidated as of the cut-off date, PLO head Atty. Alberto Nellas said.

The dismissal order stated that “it is further that the respondent’s dismissal from service will carry with it the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, bar from taking civil service examination and forfeiture of retirement benefits.”