‘We’re not fault finders’

By: Gerome Dalipe

THE Commission on Audit (COA-6) in Western Visayas corrected the perception by politicians that they always find fault in public officials’ works and actions.

“In fact, we are actually your guardian angels. We are here to guide you,” the state auditors told mayors during a discussion at Casa Real de Iloilo (old Capitol) on July 4, 2019.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and mayors from various municipalities of Iloilo met with the state auditors at the Capitol.

The chief executives were briefed on the legality and existing laws governing the disbursement of public funds.

But some town mayors lamented on the usual practice of the government auditors in disallowing or even suspending their spending of public funds.

This, despite the facts that some of the disbursements were beneficial to their constituents, the mayors said.

But the state auditors denied they exist just to find liabilities on the part of officials.

The auditors said public officials should disburse public funds in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.

For his part, Mayor Jett Rojas of Ajuy town, Iloilo, reminded his colleagues to always abide by audit laws when disbursing public funds.

“The auditors will not stop the transaction unless not compliant to laws. As much as possible, we do not want the COA to suspend or disallow our expenses,” said Rojas, the outgoing president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Iloilo chapter.

All the purchases or expenses by the chief executives should be covered by an appropriations ordinance, the mayor said.