Ombud suspends worker for unliquidated cash advances

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has suspended for three months without pay a town worker from Borbon, Cebu for failing to settle his cash advances amounting to P30,915. Darius Sagadal, graft investigation and prosecution officer, found Raul Dosdos, the town’s administrative assistant, liable for simple neglect of duty.

“Respondent (Dosdos) failed to give proper attention to a task expected of him resulting from either carelessness or indifference, making him liable for simple neglect of duty,” read Sagadal’s decision.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office, which accused Dosdos of misconduct and neglect of duty. Dosdos was granted cash advances amounting to P43,415 for his official travel on various dates in 2005 to 2007.

Pursuant to the Commission on Audit Circular 97-002, cash advances for local travels must be settled within 30 days after the accountable officer returns from his trip. Dosdos’ cash advances remained unsettled even after the required period, the ombudsman said.

Replying to the charges, Dosdos said that he had made payments on installment through salary deductions since 2009.

As of March 28, 2018, Dosdos said, he fully settled his advances, as shown by a certification issued by their town accountant.