COA flags Comelec’s P 2.6-B unliquidated cash advances

The Commission on Audit (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for its P2.594 billion unliquidated cash advances (CAs).

In a management letter to Comelec Chair Sheriff Abas dated May 25, the COA told the Comelec to demand from its accountable officers (AOs) the immediate liquidation of the amount, which was already overdue.

State auditors said “multiple cash advances” were granted to the AOs even if the previous cash advances were not yet liquidated.

“The purpose for which the above cash advances were granted have already been served, however, the same remain unliquidated as of Aug. 31, 2020,” the COA said.

Section 89 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, stated that “no cash advance shall be allowed to any official or employee unless the previous cash advance given to him is first settled or a proper accounting is made thereof.”

The COA told the Comelec to “cease from granting additional cash advances” to AOs with unliquidated CAs.

In response, the Comelec said demand letters have been sent to various AOs for the immediate liquidation of the cash advances. INQ