Robredo says OVP’s highest rating from COA shows no corruption in her track record

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the third straight year and that this shows that there is no corruption in her track record.

During her campaign rally in Laguna, Robredo said she and her running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan served in the government for a long time but their names were not involved in any anomalies.

“Ang pinakaresibo namin sa OVP ang sunod sunod na COA audit rating kung saan taon taon nakukuha po namin ang pinakamataas na COA audit rating, nagpapakita na malinis ang pamamalakad namin. At ano po resulta na malinis na pamamalakad? Ang pera ng gobyerno napupunta sa kung sino ang pinaka-nangangailangan sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.

(Our receipt in the OVP is the consecutive highest rating from COA every year, showing that our management is clean. And what is the result of a clean management? The money from the government goes to the vulnerable sectors.)

The COA granted the OVP "unqualified opinion" for the fiscal years since 2018, 2019, and 2020.

In auditing terms, a firm or agency gets an "unqualified opinion" or "clean opinion" when an auditor determines that its financial records are free of misrepresentations and comply with accounting principles.

“Pinapangalagaan po namin ang pera ng taong bayan at eto po pinaka malaking ebidensya namin pagsinabi naming gobyernong tapat, aangat ang buhay ng lahat. Kahit limitado ang budget ng pamahalaan, pag walang korupsyon maraming matutulungang naghihirap,” Robredo said.

(We protect the people's money and this is the biggest evidence we have when we say that the government is honest, it will lead to the improvement of people’s lives. Even though the government's budget is limited, if there is no corruption, help can be given to many of those who are suffering.)

Robredo also appealed to the supporters to “open their hearts” and accept the different opinions of other people, adding that it is still a united country after the elections.

“Buksan natin ang ating mga puso sa ating mga kababayan kahit iba pa ang kanilang paniniwala dahil pare-pareho naman tayong gusto, ang gusto lang naman natin mapabuti ang ating bansa. Pagkatapos po ng election na ito magkakapatid pa rin tayo,” the presidential candidate said.

(Let us open our hearts to our fellow countrymen even if their beliefs are different from ours because we all want the same, we just want to improve our country. After this election, we remain brothers and sisters.)

“Kaya ang dapat nating gawin, mangumbinsi sa mahinahon na paraan. Ipakita natin sa kanila na welcome sila sa atin ipakita natin na dito sa atin masaya, ipakita natin sa kanila na kahit anong kulay nila mamahalin at ipaglalaban natin sila,” she added.

(All we have to do is convince them in a calm way. Let us show them that they are all welcome, let us show them that whatever color or political stance they have, we will love and fight for them.)

Robredo then promised that she will be a president that is open for all regardless of other people’s political stance and beliefs.

“Ang pinangako ko sa lahat na pag-ako naging pangulo, magiging pangulo ako kahit anong kulay yung suot mo, magiging pangulo ako kahit iba pa paniniwala mo dahil ang gusto lang naman natin magkaisa tayong lahat na tunay na pagkakaisa,” she added.

(I promised to everyone that if I get elected as president, I will be a president no matter what color you wear, I will be president no matter what you believe because all we want is for us all to have a true unity.)

Around 165,000 people attended the event in Santa Rosa, Laguna, according to the organizers. -- BAP, GMA News