By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An early resolution is seen in the case of the former treasurer of Negros Occidental’s Isabela town after she allegedly lost the P6.8 million municipal funds last January.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas, Jr. said Nenette Escarda submitted her position paper on March 13, rather than undergoing a formal investigation.

She is still under a 60-day preventive suspension.

Escarda is facing administrative charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and malversation of public funds.

Since there are no hearings in her case, Nellas said they will conduct a formal investigation on March 28, and a resolution may be released after a 30-day deliberation based on the evidence presented.

If found guilty, Escarda could be dismissed from service and penalized with perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of benefits, Nellas added.

Escarda was removed from her post for losing the funds after her house in Bacolod City’s Barangay Taculing was allegedly burglarized.

A total of P3.8 million in bank checks and P2.6 million in cash were stolen./DGB, WDJ