University execs told: Return P38M

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered the former president and the regents of the Bulacan State University to return P37.88 million in authorized employee incentives for the year 2012.

In a four-page decision, the COA dismissed the appeal filed by former president Mariano de Jesus and board of regents member Hermogena Bautista on the 42 notices of disallowance (ND) dated March 12, 2013.

COA said that De Jesus’ petition for review was filed out of time on May 13, 2014, or 231 days from the receipt of the NDs. This was beyond the 180-day period provided by COA rules.

“Petitioners’ late filing of their appeal is a clear disregard of this Commission’s procedural rules … [they] gave this Commission no other option but to deny their petition,” the COA said.

The grant of the said incentive violates budget rules and the Salary Standardization Law of 1989. —Vince F. Nonato