Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 27) — President Rodrigo Duterte said he willing to scrutinize all government agencies — including the Commission on Audit — if he becomes vice president.
While again defending the Department of Health from corruption issues, Duterte asked who was in charge of auditing the COA. He then said, “Somebody should do it. I will do that if I become vice president. Ako na lang din ang mag-audit sa lahat ng gobyerno. Lahat. Pati yung akin.”
[Translation: I will audit all of the government agencies. All agencies of government. Including mine.]
He made the statement during his second pre-recorded address for the week.
The 1987 Constitution states that the COA has the “power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and on a post-audit basis.”
This mandate includes the COA auditing itself.
Earlier, Duterte blasted state auditors for their report that uncovered some ₱67-billion worth of “deficiencies” in the Health department’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic funds. He later on said that while COA should continue its mandate, it should refrain from publishing findings since this would taint government agencies with corruption.
RELATED: Duterte advises COA to ‘reconfigure’ audit reports
‘Give us enough elbow room’
In his defense of the DOH, Duterte asked the COA for “enough elbow room” so that the agency can comply with the state auditors’ requests.
“We know that we should comply, there is no problem about it. But can we have just enough elbow room at this time? Do not adopt the standards of the pre-pandemic days,” he said.
In its report, state auditors highlighted irregularities in the procurement process and lack of documentation in various contracts entered into by the DOH.
Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega earlier said there were 13 deficiencies pointed out in the report. Of this number, five were already resolved, another five were partially complied with, and three more are in the process of being resolved.
