COA calls out Sandiganbayan for underspending, keeping unused vehicles

The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the Sandiganbayan on Thursday for not implementing projects worth P189 million, which could have been used to deliver services to its employees and the public.

“Sandiganbayan was unable to maximize the use of its authorized allocation/funds causing various programs and projects totaling at least P189,974,659.67 to remain unimplemented as of December 31, 2017, thereby hampering the delivery of parallel benefits and services to its employees and the public,” the report said.

The court has been ordered to provide COA with an explanation of their “low fund utilization” and failure to follow the procurement schedule set.

“(We recommend to) identify the reason/s for the low fund utilization of the Court and the actions taken or still to be taken to address the causes for the delayed or non-accomplishment of its programs and projects,” COA noted.

COA also ordered Sandiganbayan to “implement the procurement activities strictly within the timeframe set in the APP to ensure maximum utilization of funds and attainment of benefits of the Court’s employees, and the delivery of service to the public at the optimum.”

The commission said in its report that the anti-graft court has also kept unused vehicles that should have been disposed of if no longer usable, or re-sold if it is still functional.

Six vehicles acquired for P8.4 million, including one Mitsubishi Montero, two Honda CRVs, and two Kia Sorentos remain docked at the Sandiganbayan’s premises.

COA stressed that this practice is “contrary to the provisions of Section 79 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 and Section 502 of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual (GAAM) Volume I.”

“Motor vehicles with an aggregate acquisition cost of P8,474,973.08 have remained idle since these were returned/surrendered to the Property and Supply Section,” COA explained. “Thus continuously occupying significant space in the Court’s premises exposing them to deterioration, and likewise reducing its saleable value.”

Currently, visitors doing official business at the Sandiganbayan are forced to park in uneven parking slots and outside its premises along Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

COA suggested that concerned Sandiganbayan offices should identify the vehicles’ condition and chose the option that would be most advantageous to the government. /ee