Credit officer cries foul over "unfair" probe

CEBU, Philippines – The credit officer of the Cebu City Medical Center who was suspended from work following the disappearance of checks amounting to P240,000 is eyeing a legal suit against those who ordered her suspension.

Gloria Dalawampu, lawyer of Lourdes Archua, said her client has been subjected to unfair investigation.

"One of the options of the unfair investigation is to sue the people behind Lourdes Archua's suspension," Dalawampu said.

Archua is preventively suspended for 30 days starting July 22 after the city's legal office found her liable for neglect of duty for the release of the checks to one Concha Ruth Adlawan who disguised herself as a Philhealth trainee.

Archua, however, claimed it was Mary Grace Lopez, an employee of the city treasurer's office detailed at CCMC, who actually released the checks.

Dalawampu said there is a certain bias in the investigation because Archua is the only one investigated.

Yesterday, Archua appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation to give her statement in relation to the controversy.

She was also made to identify a photo reportedly that of Adlawan, but Archua said she could not fully identify the same.

"I'm not sure if that was the face of Adlawan if I will go to rate it, it's 7 out of 10", Archua said.

The NBI continues to look into Adlawan's whereabouts. Lopez has also not submitted her affidavit yet with the bureau. (THE FREEMAN)