Agencies should not take offense at COA reports, Robredo says

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday urged government agencies not to take offense at the reports of Commission on Audit (COA) that question their budget spending.

In a statement, Robredo pointed out that it should be clear to agencies that these processes and regulations are in place to ensure that there is no corruption, plunderers, and unnecessary expenses in the government.

“Dito pumapasok 'yung trabaho ng COA — para masiguro na tapat at seryosong nasusunod ang mga prosesong ito. Hindi natin dapat minamasama ‘yung mga reports na ‘to,” she said.

(This is where the job of COA comes in — to ensure that processes are seriously and faithfully followed.)

Robredo noted that agencies are given the opportunity to respond, clarify, and improve the transparency of their systems and processes.

“So when these reports and audits come — we must respond. Kasi [because] we owe it hindi lang sa COA, pero mas importante, sa taumbayan [not only to COA but more importantly, to the public],” she said.

Robredo — whose office received the highest COA audit rating for the third straight year in 2020 — encouraged state auditors to continue their good work as she reminded agencies that these processes are in place to ensure good governance.

COA has been on the headlines recently after it posted on its website initial findings of its 2020 audit reports on government agencies.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has blamed COA for “destroying” the reputation of the DOH as its audit report revealed that P67.32 billion of COVID-19 funds had deficiencies caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations.

In a public address on Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte defended Duque and told COA to stop "flagging" government agencies, saying what it is actually doing is "flogging" them. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News