Customs cashier axed for P6.6M fund loss

A Bureau of Customs clerk was ordered dismissed from service by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas for embezzling P6.6 million in government funds.

Sunshine Saliendra, cashier at the Customs-Philippine Economic Zone Authority clearing office in Lapu-Lapu City, was found guilty of dishonesty.

Aside from the administrative offense, Saliendra will face court trial on charges of malversation of public funds.

In his resolution, graft investigation and prosecution officer Pio Dargantes said the cashier was liable for failing to produce the missing funds.

A Commission on Audit (COA) report showed that Salinedra had a cash shortage of P6.6 million.

Saliendra admitted there were discrepancies in the documents but said the audit report does not indicate that she pocketed the money.

Saliendra said she was not the only cashier assigned in the office and that other collectors may be responsible for the shortage.

Her denial wasn’t given weight by the anti-graft office, which said she could not present any justification for the cash shortage she incurred.

Saliendra forfeited her benefits and was disqualified from being rehired by the government./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL