BACOLOD CITY: Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered the preventive suspension of Nenette Escarda, former acting municipal treasurer of Isabela town in the province.

The order was issued on Tuesday, February 21, and released to the media on Thursday.

Escarda was charged with administrative offenses of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and malversation of public funds, the order said.

The case comes after Escarda's house in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City was allegedly ransacked by robbers who carted away at least P7 million worth of cash and checks owned by the Isabela municipal government.

In the order, Lacson said that in January this year, Escarda was 'taking advantage of her official and administrative functions, with grave abuse of confidence, and without authority from the municipal mayor or the national government took and removed the municipal public funds amounting to P2.6 million in cash and approximately P3.8 million in checks and took it home in Bacolod City.'

Based on the cash examination of the Commission on Audit (CoA), Escarda committed irregularities in her cash accountability.

The CoA report showed that collections amounting to P6,629,146,18 as of Jan. 20, 2023 remain undeposited and cash advances totaling P972,000 remain unliquidated.

Escarda is given three days to answer the charges.

She is also advised to indicate whether or not she wants a formal investigation or the submission of a position paper.

Lawyer Alberto Nella Jr., provincial legal officer, said Thursday that the Provincial Legal Office will handle the case as Escarda is a provincial government employee.

However, he said they will coordinate with the Isabela municipal government as the incident happened in the town.

Nellas said 'Escarda was acting on her own accord.'

He added that Escarda admitted that she took the money.Mayor Irene Montilla, on behalf of the Isabela municipal government, can file appropriate criminal changes if the evidence warrants it, he said.