Children's welfare council paid P1.05 million to a 'DZMM reporter' —COA

The Council for the Welfare of Children was flagged by the Commission on Audit for allegedly paying P1.05 million to an unnamed "DZMM reporter" for the coverage of the 2017 National Children's Month.

In a 2017 audit report, COA said: "Cash advances amounting to P1,050,000 was paid to a DZMM reporter to cover the activities of the CWC's celebration of the National Children's Month (NCM) and featured in TV networks and print media."

On Saturday, dzMM released a statement saying it shall conduct an investigation based on the COA report implicating an unnamed reporter from their station.

"DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 takes allegations of unethical practices by any member of our news organization seriously," the statement read.

"We expect our journalists to adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct at all times," it added.

'Irregular' use of funds

According to the COA report, the scope of work allegedly provided by the dzMM reporter cover the following:

• arrange the radio and television guesting’s of CWC;
• ensure availability of CWC officials and/or technical staff to these guesting’s;
• compile news reports/articles and submit the same to CWC for their reference;
• distribute NCM materials such as posters, whistle with how to use card, and
• briefer to all press/media personnel who attended the NCM activities; and
• invite press people to the various activities of NCM.

However, the report added, "the audit of the liquidation of the cash advances revealed that no contract was executed neither was the procurement of the service go through public bidding pursuant to the IRR of the RA 9184, thus bereft of legal basis."

A Notice of Disallowance dated February 1, 2018 was issued for the "irregular" expenditure.

COA recommended and CWC agreed to require the persons liable to settle the disallowance amounting to P1,500,000. —KG, GMA News