Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) — An audit report showed the Philippine National Police only spent ₱86 million out of its over ₱700 million budget for anti-communist programs in 2020.
According to state auditors, the PNP received ₱722.9 million under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s funds in 2020, but only ₱240.8 million was obligated or pledged for payment.
“Records showed that ₱86,568,860.17 or 35.95% out of ₱240,802,722.97 obligated for CY 2020 was utilized for various procurements leaving a balance of ₱154,233,862.80 unpaid disbursements as of December 31, 2020,” COA said.
Unsupported purchase
State auditors flagged Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) for obligating over P6 million to purchase goods with no supporting documents.
Instead of carrying out public bidding, the PNP used the method of shopping which required the agency to submit price quotations for off-the-shelf goods.
“Procurement of goods through shopping had no proof of posting of the request for quotation,” auditors noted.
Critics have questioned the transparency of the anti-insurgency task force’s spending, especially as it received billions in budget allocations.
In a congressional hearing last year, COA chief Michael Aguinaldo admitted auditors have no way of tracing NTF-ELCAC’s budget since it is categorized as intelligence funds.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon expects NTF-ELCAC to propose a ₱28 billion budget next year. He vowed to oppose the budget, warning that it may be used as campaign funds for the 2022 elections.
