COA tells OSG to refrain from conducting seminars in Makati hotels

The Commission on Audit has urged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to save government resources and refrain from holding seminars in hotels in Makati City, where its main office is also located.

In its 2018 annual audit report, the COA said the OSG spent a total of P1.2 million for the payment of services and the rent of spaces in Abuelas Restaurant, IM Hotel, World Hotel Makati, and El Cielito Tourist Inn. 

The OSG's most expensive events were a quality management system documentation training and an awareness seminar, both held at IM Hotel and costing P252,000 and P243,000, respectively.

The COA noted that no attendance sheets were submitted by the OSG, while some events had no list of participants.

"The seminars/trainings could have been done in the office premises, government facilities or in hotels and restaurants used for government sponsored international conventions, meetings and the like that would charge lower costs," the COA said in its 2018 annual audit report.

"We recommended to refrain from conducting seminars/trainings in expensive venues and instead hold future seminars/trainings at office premises or give preference in the lease of government-owned property as venue to save on scarce government resources," it added.

Furthermore, the COA said payments were made despite incomplete supporting documents such as the approval of Solicitor General Jose Calida or his authorized representative regarding the event venues.

The OSG management defended its use of the Makati hotels and restaurant, saying the venues were "duly canvassed" and "passed the scrutiny" of the Bids and Awards Committee.

'Doubtful' transactions

A total of P105,471.18 worth of honoraria and trainings fees remained "doubtful" to COA due to the lack of proof the resource speakers were actually paid.

"Review of the disbursement vouchers and supporting documents revealed that the payment for honorarium of officials/employees of other government offices acting as resource person were not supported with proper and complete documents," the COA said.

The COA said the only evidence attached in the disbursement voucher are the letter of invitation and the computed honorarium of the resource speakers.

The OSG, in its comment, said it already submitted the notice of payment and the monthly report to the mother agency of the recipient official to COA. — BM, GMA News