MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct an audit of the Philippine Red Cross as he accused its chairman, Senator Richard Gordon, of using the humanitarian organization’s funds for his previous election campaigns.
The COA, however, is only mandated to examine and audit government agencies and bodies. The Philippine Red Cross, is a non-government humanitarian organization.
Gordon, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, earned the ire of President Duterte when he led the inquiry into the purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies during the height of the CVID-19 pandemic last year.
In previous public addresses, Duterte criticized Gordon for being a “talkathon” champion and even went as low as commenting on the senator’s appearance, including his weight.
In fresh tirades on Thursday night, President Duterte accused Gordon of using Red Cross’s funds in his previous election campaigns.
“Ginamit mo ito sa elections.Ito ‘yung milking cow mo eh,” he said.
(You used it for the elections. This is your milking cow.)
He said as chairman of the organization, the senator had a hand in where the money of Red Cross goes and he wants COA to conduct an audit to see where the money went, even though it is already beyond the commission’s mandate since Red Cross is not a government agency.
“Ang gusto kong makita ‘yung audit talaga na totoo ng Red Cross. I will demand… the executive department will demand that we be furnished a copy of your audit taken by COA and COA to give us a copy so that we can review also what you have audited,” he said in his public address.
(I want to see the audit of Red Cross.)