COA orders Peza execs to return P664-M salary hike, perks

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered officials of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) to return to the government P664.36 million in salary increases and additional employee benefits granted from July 2009 to December 2012 without presidential approval.

In a 14-page decision, the COA held the officials who approved the salary increases and benefits liable to return the amounts under 112 notices of disallowance.

The COA directed Peza’s resident auditors to issue a supplemental notice to cover the members of the board who approved Board Resolution No. 09-372 on July 21, 2009. On the other hand, the employees of the Peza head office and three economic zones were cleared of liability. —Vince F. Nonato