City treasurer sacked over missing funds

BORONGAN CITY — Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda has ordered the immediate relief of the city treasurer and several revenue collectors following the discovery of P6.4 million in missing funds from the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

Agda made the move after an internal audit flagged what appeared to be a serious discrepancy in the city’s finances.

“I am saddened by this turn of events. But justice has to be served,” the mayor said in an interview.

According to Agda, the city’s Internal Audit Service raised the alarm over a possible anomaly involving several CTO personnel. A probe was launched, and the investigation confirmed that P6.4 million had not been deposited into the city’s bank account as it should have been.

While he did not name the officials relieved from duty, Agda said the city treasurer was among those temporarily removed to allow for a full and impartial investigation. Assistant City Treasurer Jorgette Labro has been tapped to take over in the meantime, while the city awaits a formal appointment from the Department of Finance.

The missing amount, Agda noted, covers the period from November 2024 to the present — but he warned that the total could still increase once the Commission on Audit begins its own review.

Despite the controversy, Agda assured the public that city operations, including the timely release of employee salaries and delivery of social services, will not be affected.

“This is unfortunate, but we will continue to run the city properly and transparently. We owe that much to our constituents,” he added.