COA finds more defenders

Logo and facade of the Commission on Audit (COA) building.

MANILA, Philippines — Several business groups and the Ateneo University system on Saturday came to the defense of the Commission on Audit (COA) even as President Rodrigo Duterte adopted a more conciliatory tone toward the agency, saying he was aware it was just doing its job and suggesting ways on how it could “reconfigure” its annual reports.

In a joint statement, 26 business groups and universities voiced their support for the COA as an independent constitutional body, saying it was the 1987 Philippine Constitution—the highest law of the land—that gave it the mandate to scrutinize government spending to prevent irregularities, misuse or wastage of funds.

“It is our solemn duty as a people to uphold at all times the independence of our constitutional commissions. Upholding their constitutional mandates goes beyond compliance with the law; it is an affirmation of the moral duty and social conscience that we owe to our people,” they said.

“Our Constitution, which every public official has sworn to uphold under pain of penalty, demands no less,” they said in a statement that was signed by, among others, the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc.

The release of several COA 2020 audit reports recently led to a backlash against some government agencies after findings showed that huge sums were not spent wisely or in some cases, not used at all.

In particular, the Department of Health (DOH) came under fire after state auditors cited deficiencies in its use of P67.3 billion worth of pandemic response funds. But in a taped briefing, President Duterte scolded not the DOH, but the state audit agency, telling it to stop flagging government transactions and publishing its reports as these would taint agencies with “corruption by perception.”

Unwavering support

In their statement, the business groups and universities said that “in these crisis times, we should be unwavering in supporting our government agencies tasked to protect our country from graft and corruption, which will aggravate the current pandemic-driven situation of widespread hunger, unemployment, uncertainty and undue hardship and suffering of our people.”

The other signatories are Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Chamber of Thrift Banks, Filipina Ceo Circle, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), Financial Executives Institute of Cebu Inc., Finex Academy Inc., Finex Research and Development Foundation Inc.; Fintech Alliance PH, Guild of Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Professionals Inc., Institute of Solidarity in Asia Inc., Integrity Initiative, Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines, Investment House Association of the Philippines, Judicial Reform Initiative, Licensing Executives Society Philippines, Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, Shareholders’ Association Inc., Tax Management Association of the Philippines and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro.

President’s suggestions

In another taped briefing aired on Saturday, the President called on the COA to “reconfigure” the presentation of its reports and immediately clarify if it found no sign of corruption, saying that based on his experience, the findings could affect the government personnel concerned.

“I know there is no malice. You are just doing your duty. But in making the report, kindly reconfigure everything and say at the start, at the first instance if you are interviewed, immediately say, ‘There is no corruption here because there is no money involved,’” he said.

Duterte said the COA should also give government officials sufficient time to answer its findings before coming to a conclusion since the required documents might not be immediately available, especially during the pandemic when agencies maintain only a skeleton workforce.

According to him, the agency should not audit ongoing programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic since “they are fighting a war against an enemy that we cannot see. Give them enough elbow room to move.”

State auditors should wait for the proper timing to come into the picture, he added.

But he stressed that should state auditors find evidence of wrongdoing, they should not hesitate to go after the government official involved, saying: “Go ahead. Go for his neck. He deserves it.”

Personal experience

According to the president, he was concerned about the welfare of government employees who might be affected by the perception created by the COA findings as well as the cases that would be filed as a result.

He shared his experience as Davao City mayor when the agency flagged his actions, leading to the filing of cases against him. In one instance, Duterte said he decided to buy cheaper computers and ignored the National Computer Center’s preferred brand which was more expensive. As a result, he was audited and slapped with a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court.

While he was exonerated, he had to shoulder the legal expenses, he said.

There were other transactions also questioned by the COA which he said he was able to defend in court, like the purchase of generic medicines and his hosting of parties for different sectors, such as teachers, soldiers, sex workers, and the differently abled.

“This is not an accusation against COA, it’s neither a criticism against COA. It is just sharing with COA the heartaches of the so many people who had undergone your audit,” Duterte said.