Instead of feeling affronted by the release of Commission on Audit (COA) reports, government agencies should focus on explaining and clarifying the findings by state auditors, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday.
“We should not feel bad about these reports. In fact, these give us the opportunity to respond, explain and be more transparent in our systems and processes,” she said in Filipino.
“If the job of the COA is to come up with audit reports to ensure that no money goes somewhere where it should not be, the responsibility that we ask from government agencies (is) to explain, respond and clarify the questions,” the Vice President added.
Robredo also urged government agencies to ensure the proper use of resources in every project, as she commended the work of state auditors in ensuring good governance.
For his part, Sen. Bong Go asked concerned agencies to explain expenditures to dispel doubt on the government’s pandemic response efforts.
“I appeal to all those involved in spending public funds to explain clearly and completely, in a way that is easily understandable, all these issues so we can focus on the real enemy – COVID-19 and the accompanying poverty and hunger,” Go said.
He also appealed to fellow lawmakers and the public that while they rigorously seek the truth, objectivity must be maintained in order not to pass judgment too early without knowing all the facts.
Unaudited
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the agency mandated to promote ease of doing business with the government, was not audited by COA due to its failure to submit financial records and other documents, despite repeated requests from state auditors.
In a management letter dated June 11, 2021 addressed to ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica, the COA said ARTA’s “non-submission of financial reports and other documents prevented timely detection of any deficiency” and “deprived the agency the opportunity of a timely audit.”
The COA pointed out that ARTA’s director of finance and administration committed to submit the requested financial statements and supporting documents by March 15 but failed to do so. – Paolo Romero, Elizabeth Marcelo, Louella Desiderio
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