Section 78Sec./Art. 78

Disposition of funds or property held by deceased, incapacitated, absconding, or superseded accountable officer.

1. When an officer, accountable for government funds or property absconds with them dies, or becomes incapacitated in the performance of his duties, the proper agency head shall designate a custodian to take charge of the funds or property until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified. The agency head may appoint a committee to count the cash and take an inventory of the property for which the officer was accountable and to determine the responsibility for any shortage therein. One copy of the inventory and of the report of the Committee duly certified shall be filed with the Commission but the findings of the committee shall not be conclusive until approved by the Commission or its duly authorized representative.

2. If the absconding, deceased, incapacitated, or superseded officer is accountable for funds or property of a province or city, the custodian and committee shall be designated by the Minister (Secretary) of Finance, and if accountable for municipal or barrio (barangay) funds or property, by the provincial treasurer. In all other respects, the above-prescribed proceedings shall be observed.

3. If the absconding, deceased, incapacitated, or superseded officer is responsible to another who is accountable, the latter may himself designate the committee or take other lawful measures for the protection of his interest.