Ridon: COA findings on P73-M OVP confidential funds 'not political'

The Commission on Audit's (COA) affirmation of the notice of disallowance on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) disbursement of P73 million in confidential funds in 2022 underwent due process and was not intended to harass anyone, House Committee on Public Accounts chairperson Terry Ridon said Friday. 

Ridon, who is also a member of the House Committee on Justice, defended COA's findings, saying they were not politically motivated and were reached after years of audit, review, and validation. 

"This did not happen overnight. These findings are the result of a three-year audit process conducted by the Commission on Audit, a constitutional body mandated to examine the use of public funds," the solon said in a statement.

"If this were political, it would have been rushed. Instead, it took three years. That is not harassment—that is due process," he added. 

An officer of the COA's Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office told the House Committee on Justice on Tuesday that the commission has affirmed the notice of disallowance on the OVP's disbursement of P73 million in confidential funds from December 21 to 31, 2022. 

EXPLAINER: What is a Notice of Disallowance?

COA specifically disallowed more than P69 million paid as rewards in cash, in products, and in medicines to informants, saying these should be supported by necessary documents proving that the information-gathering and surveillance operations were successful.

No copy yet

The OVP, in response, refused to comment on the matter pending receipt of the copy of the COA decision. 

"The Office of the Vice President has not received a copy of the Commission on Audit decision presented at the House Committee on Justice hearing on April 14, 2026. Therefore, we cannot comment at this time," the OVP told GMA News Online. 

Ridon said the COA findings are now vital to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that impeachment is not a determination of guilt, but a constitutional mechanism to determine whether sufficient grounds exist for trial in the Senate.

"This is about probable cause, not conviction. The purpose is to allow the evidence—including COA findings—to be examined in the proper forum," he said. — VDV, GMA News