COA flags OSG’s P7.12M in foreign travel expenses

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged P7.128 million in foreign travels spent by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in 2018 that lacked the required supporting documents.

Citing audit rules, the COA said foreign travels of government officials should be subjected to bidding, in which no less than three travel agencies should submit quotations.

The audit body said the OSG procured P5.51 million in office supplies and equipment without proper public bidding.

The OSG was also told to refrain from conducting trainings and seminars at “expensive venues.”

According to the report, the OSG spent P1.27 million for activities held at luxury hotels in Makati.

Since the OSG’s head office is also in Makati City, the audit body said the agency could have conducted the training within office premises to save costs.

The COA has yet to decide if the documents and explanations provided by the OSG were sufficient.—Patricia Denies M. Chiu