Malacaῆang assured that public funds under the current administration are properly utilized in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive, following the release of initial audit reports.
Citing personal experience, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his Aug. 19 briefing that agencies are able to respond to the initial findings of the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Sa ngayon po, ang aking advice, cool po muna tayo dahil itong puntong ito, pupwede pa pong sagutin [ang initial reports], at hintayin po natin ang final reports,” he said.
“Sa ating opisina ay wala pong kaduda-duda na ginagamit po sa tama ang pondo kasi iyan po ang marching order ng Presidente,” he added, while recalling the dismissal of government personnel engaged in corrupt activities.
The COA has already clarified that its consolidated initial audit report on the Department of Health (DOH) “does not mention any findings by the auditors of funds lost to corruption.”
“As an example, some of the findings of deficiencies involving COVID-19 funds amounting to Php67.3 Billion resulted from the non-submission of documentation or supporting papers,” it stated.
The COA also noted that “the audit process for the deficiencies pointed out has not been completed,” and that drawing conclusions would be premature. Government agencies and instrumentalities have 60 days to submit the required documents.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III lamented the report in a recent hearing, saying that it was “unfair” that they were judged without the 60 days, within which they “should have given [their] rejoinder and reported on the actions to their recommendations.”
Several agencies and units were also flagged in the recently released report, which did not sit well with Duterte, based on his latest public address.
“Stop that flagging… You know that when you flag, there is already a taint of corruption by perception,” he said.
PTV
Meanwhile, state-owned media People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTNI) said it has been coordinating with COA regarding the required salary document before the audit findings were publicized.
The COA said in its initial report that the salary payment to the network’s personnel “could not be ascertained” pending the submission of “properly filled-up and signed/approved Daily Time Records (DTRs).”
“We take to heart the findings of the audit team and guarantee that our concerned offices are working hard to ensure that the recommendations are implemented,” PTNI stated. – Report from Sweeden Velado-Ramirez/AG-rir
