A CASH clerk in the Mandaue City Treasurer’s Office has been dismissed after investigators determined that around P3.3 million in city collections were never turned over to the City Government. The dismissal order was officially served on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, following a months-long investigation that began under the previous administration and continued under the new leadership of Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano.
City Legal Officer Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on said the decision came after investigators confirmed discrepancies in receipts and records. “The employee was found to have failed to turn over approximately P3.3 million in funds. This was discovered through records and receipts that showed clear discrepancies in the remittances,” he said.
HOW THE CASE DEVELOPED. The issue first surfaced in April 2025, when the initial incident report was filed during the previous administration of Mayor Glenn Bercede. When the case was turned over to the new administration, Ouano ordered the investigation to continue.
The missing funds were traced back to transactions dating as far back as February 2024. Some of the questionable receipts were from 2024, while others were dated early 2025.
Malig-on said the employee was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations and submit a position paper as part of due process. The investigating team ultimately recommended dismissal based on the findings.
CHARGES AND EMPLOYEE’S DEFENSE. The employee was accused of failing to remit collections received in the course of official duties. “The recommendation from the investigating team was dismissal because the offense constitutes very serious dishonesty,” Malig-on said. “Mayor Ouano also made it clear that he will not tolerate any form of dishonesty, especially in the Treasurer’s Office.”
The accused employee disputed the findings, claiming that the report was unreliable and the charges defective. However, investigators found that documentary evidence directly linked the employee to the unremitted funds. “It’s clear from the reports that the employee was responsible for receiving the collections and should have turned them over immediately. There is always a paper trail in cash transactions, so it’s easy to trace who handled the money,” Malig-on said.
WHY DOES THIS CASE MATTERS. The case strikes at the heart of public trust in local government. The City Treasurer’s Office handles millions of pesos in public funds every month, from business permits and taxes to fines and service fees. When money collected from residents and businesses does not reach city coffers, it undermines confidence in government systems and raises questions about internal controls.
Malig-on acknowledged the broader implications. He said the City Government will tighten internal controls and continue to uphold transparency to prevent similar incidents. City officials have said the administration remains committed to restoring public trust, though they have not yet disclosed whether the loss has affected operations at the Treasurer’s Office.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW YET. Several key details remain unclear or have not been disclosed by authorities. The City Legal Office did not specify how the funds were diverted or whether any part of the missing P3.3 million has been recovered.
It is not immediately clear whether the discrepancy was uncovered through an internal audit, a routine reconciliation of records, or a complaint from within the Treasurer’s Office. Malig-on declined to identify the employee, citing privacy rules. No information has been released about whether the dismissed clerk has filed an appeal or plans to challenge the decision.
The identities of the other individuals mentioned by the dismissed clerk have not been disclosed, nor has the City revealed how many people are now under investigation or what their alleged roles may have been.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. The City is planning to pursue a criminal case against the dismissed employee. The investigation of other names mentioned by the cash clerk is still ongoing, which suggests the case may expand beyond a single individual.
Whether those additional investigations will lead to charges or administrative actions has not been announced. The City has also not said whether civil action will be pursued to recover the missing P3.3 million, or what steps are being taken to tighten internal controls in the Treasurer’s Office to prevent similar incidents. / ABC