Missing cashier given 72 hours to explain

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The "missing" disbursing officer of Kidapawan City Government is given 72 hours to explain before the city mayor's office why he would not be charged with irregularity in the conduct of public service.

The memorandum order was issued Thursday to Darwin Loyola, disbursing officer assigned at the City Treasury who went missing since July 19.

Kidapawan Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco, in his letter dated August 2, ordered Loyola to explain why no administrative case would be filed against him for dishonesty, grave misconduct, dishonesty, serious irregularities in the performance of his duties, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

Magda Bernabe, head of the human resource and management office of the City Government, said if Loyola fails to respond to the order, the city mayor will create a special committee to investigate the case.

The committee, which will headed by the city legal counsel, is set to meet next week, Bernabe said.

Loyola was reported missing since July 19.

Based on the audit reports, the employee brought with him some cash worth P1.9 million intended for the salaries and honoraria of at least 1,500 Job Order employees, health workers, locally-funded teachers, and village guards of the city, for the month of June.

On Wednesday, City Treasurer Elsa Palmones filed malversation of public funds, which is a criminal complaint, against Loyola.

Palmones used as basis in her complaint the results of the audit conducted two weeks ago by her office and the Commission on Audit.

Palmones, however, is not at all free from any responsibility for Loyola's act.

A lawyer, citing as basis section 102 of Presidential Decree 1445, or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, said that the head of any agency of the government is immediately and primarily responsible for all government funds and property pertaining to his agency.

"In this case, Loyola, as disbursing officer, is immediately responsible to City treasurer Palmones, as his head," said the lawyer.

Meanwhile, some City Hall employees who invested on Loyola's lending business are bent on filing criminal charges against him.

Reports said Loyola's flight was primarily due to his failure to remit to some 25 investors their share in the business.

At least P21 million was invested by the employees, including private individuals, on Loyola's lending business.

“I presumed Loyola mismanaged the funds," said Isan Salcedo, one of the city hall employees.