‘No malice’ in COA report on DOH utilization of COVID-19 funds — IBP

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday said the Commission on Audit (COA) only fulfilled its constitutional duty when it flagged the deficiencies in the Department of Health’s (DOH) utilization of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds.

According to the country’s mandatory organization of lawyers, the independent commission’s function is to track the use of public funds and determine whether it was utilized in an “unnecessary” or “extravagant” manner.

“When the COA issues a report, it fulfills its constitutional duty, nothing more,” the IBP said in a statement.

“The COA's report by itself bears no malice and is actually based on the government's own records or the lack of it.”

In their 2020 report, state auditors flagged various deficiencies, including the transfer of P42.41 billion to partner agencies without a memorandum of agreement and other supporting documents, and P11.89 billion in unobligated allotments.

The DOH, however, said that most of the major findings in the COA report have been resolved.

President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, attributed the deficiencies to incomplete paperwork. He also said that when the COA flags an agency “there is already a taint of corruption by perception.”

Both the Senate and House of Representatives are looking into the COA findings on the DOH. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News

“Whatever ‘taint’ or ‘perception’ of corruption that arises from a COA report is not the fault of the auditors who are simply doing their sworn function,” the IBP said.

“We submit that rather than criticizing the COA and its auditors, the Department of Health should instead cooperate with them and explain the ‘deficiencies’ and submit documentation or supporting papers to explain its side.” (Virgil Lopez)