Sta. Fe treasurer faces malversation charge

The municipal treasurer of Sta. Fe town, northern Cebu, will be charged in court for incurring a cash shortage of more than P1 million.

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas indicted Wilma Suico on charges of malversation of public funds.

Suico, local revenue collection officer and officer in charge of the Municipal Treasurer’s Office, allegedly embezzled P1,088,298.52.

Bail was recommended at P40,000.

In 2007, state auditors found out that Suico incurred a cash shortage of over P1 million for the period Dec. 5, 2006, to June 18, 2007.

A demand letter was sent  to Suico to produce the missing funds and to explain the cash shortage.

In a letter, Suico admitted the shortage and appealed for time to produce the funds.

Suico was in charge of the collections and disbursement of public funds.

For failing to rebut the allegations, the anti-graft office decided to elevate the criminal charges against her in court./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL