By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz expressed frustration and disappointment over the incident involving former Isabela municipal treasurer Neneth Escarda after allegedly losing almost P7 million in funds owned by the municipal government to robbers.

Diaz said he is surprised as to why the incident happened to Escarda, especially because she is nearing retirement already.

He also said things like this happen at the most unexpected time and with the most unexpected people.

“It is a little bit disappointing and frustrating because despite the things we do for employees, all the benefits and support, this happens,” Diaz said.

It can be recalled that Escarda brought the municipal government’s funds to her home in Bacolod City with the intention of depositing them in the bank the next day.

However, her house was allegedly burglarized.

It was later found that she was not authorized to bring home the money, as another person was assigned to deposit it in the bank.

Diaz said during the meeting on Monday, February 6, Escarda expressed deep regret over the incident.

She assured Diaz and Montilla that she had not taken anything from the government.

With the investigation now underway, Diaz said Escarda is now assigned to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.

She would be given due process and she has a lot to explain over the incident, Diaz said.

“We hope that her reasons are convincing enough and prove herself innocent,” he added.

Earlier, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas, Jr. said they had already received the endorsement for the probe from the acting municipal treasurer of Isabela.

The endorsement also includes the report from the Commission on Audit.

Nellas said they will look into the endorsement, adding that the reason why the investigation was handed over to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) is because the municipality does not have its own legal officer.

“Since they do not have a municipal legal officer, as PLO, we will be taking charge with the investigation of the said funds nga allegedly nadispalko sang municipal treasurer,” Nellas said.

He also said that the ongoing investigation into the allegedly stolen municipal funds could possibly be expanded to other individuals who may have a connection with Escarda.

Nellas also believes a lifestyle check may be in order, and depending on the results of the investigation, they may also refer the case to the Office of the Ombudsman.

On January 21, Escarda approached Police Station 6 in Bacolod City to complain that her house in the city’s Barangay Taculing had been burglarized.

The robbers carted away P3.8 million in bank checks, as well as cash amounting to P2.6 million.

However, investigators from Police Station 6 are currently baffled by the robbery incident as they have observed several oddities from the case./DGB, WDJ