COA-flagged agencies have to explain deficiencies: Palace

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday advised the public to stay cool and await the final report, as government agencies still have the chance to explain the deficiencies cited by the Commission on Audit (COA) in its 2020 audit report.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a virtual press conference, reiterated that government agencies flagged by COA should be given the chance to respond to the spending report last year.

“‘Yung mga initial observation, nasasagot po iyan ng mga ahensiya (The agencies are able to answer the initial observations [of COA],” Roque said. “So, sa ngayon po, ang aking advice, cool muna po tayo dahil sa puntong ito ay pupuwede pong sagutin at hintayin ang final reports (So, as of now, my advice is let us just be cool because at this point, they can still respond to the allegations. Just wait for the final reports).”

The COA has released its 2020 audit report, flagging deficiencies that need to be explained by the government agencies but the public immediately perceived as irregularities in the use of public funds.

Following the release of the COA report, state departments, including the Department of Health (DOH), have come under fire.

The DOH, which leads the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic response efforts, has earned the public ire after COA reported deficiencies of around PHP67.73 billion in Covid-19 response funds.

In his pre-recorded Talk to the People aired Monday night, Duterte said the COA found deficiencies in the DOH’s allocation for Covid-19 response efforts because of “incomplete paperwork”.

State auditor Jake Cimafranca, who worked on the DOH report, died of a heart attack on Aug. 4.

Former COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza said Cimafranca died possibly due to “stress” while working for COA.

Roque offered the Palace’s condolences to the family of Cimafranca.

“We condole with the family at (and) in any way that we can help, please let us know,” he said.

Public funds used properly

Roque guaranteed that the government is using the public funds “properly”, especially amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Wala pong kaduda-duda, ginagamit sa tama po ang pondo kasi iyan ang marching order ng Presidente (There is no doubt that the funds are being used properly because that’s the President’s marching order),” he said.

He also maintained that Duterte would not hesitate to fire government workers who will be involved in irregular activities.

“Hindi po siya mag-aatubiling tanggalin kahit sino man kung mayroon pong bahid ng korapsyon (He will not hesitate to fire anyone involved in corruption),” he said.