COA ruling hits OVP transparency claims

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Malacañang said a recent ruling by the Commission on Audit (COA) upholding a notice of disallowance against the Office of the Vice President (OVP) casts doubt on earlier claims of transparency in its financial reporting.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ruling contradicts the “unmodified opinion” previously cited to defend the OVP’s use of public funds.

The OVP, led by Sara Duterte, received an unmodified opinion from COA for its financial statements for 2022, 2023, and 2024, indicating that the reports were fairly presented in accordance with auditing standards.

“This only proves that the unmodified opinion, which they presented to show transparency and properly used funds, is being contradicted by COA’s most recent decision denying the appeal for review filed by the OVP,” Castro said.

The COA recently upheld a notice of disallowance amounting to PHP 73.28 million in confidential funds used by the OVP.

In a decision dated April 10, state auditors denied Duterte’s appeal, which raised due process arguments.

Auditors found that the questioned expenses, including PHP 69.78 million labeled as “rewards” and PHP 3.5 million for office equipment, lacked sufficient documentation and justification and were deemed irregular.

The disallowed amount forms part of PHP 125 million in confidential funds reportedly spent by the OVP over 11 days from Dec. 20–31, 2022, averaging more than PHP 11 million per day.

The PHP 125 million allocation has become a central issue in ongoing impeachment proceedings against the vice president, raising broader concerns over the use of confidential and intelligence funds in government agencies.

Castro reiterated that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains firm on enforcing accountability in public spending, emphasizing that officials found liable must answer for irregularities.

“That is what the government wants, those who are liable, the COA and even the Anti–Money Laundering Council should act quickly when irregularities are found,” she said.