Demand letters sent to collect P11.48 M in unliquidated CAs

Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale said she is sending another wave of demand notices to about 100 Capitol personnel, who have remaining unliquidated cash advances that total P11.48 million.

Those who refuse to settle their accountabilities will have their salaries held.

The amounts were spent during the administration of suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, whose name is also on the list.

Auditors are pressing the Cebu provincial government to clear up the records and explain how the cash advances were used after noting several deficienices in financial transactions in 2012.

In an exit conference on Monday, auditors and provincial officials discussed the findings of the Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM).

Capitol officials were told to immediately liquidate the amount.

The original total amount of unliquidated CAs was P43.95 million but went down to P11.49 million based on an April 25 update of auditors.

Magpale said the cash advances were made before she assumed the post in Dec. 18, 2012.

Nevertheless, Magaple said she already endorsed the matter to the provincial accountant for immediate collection and/or witholding of salary.

Clearances for those retiring, resigning or transferring will also be set aside until they liquidated their outstanding cash advances.

Demand letters will be sent to employees including those already separated or retired. The Provincial Attorney was told to also file court action against those who defy the order.

Officials who fail to submit the liquidation coud face administrative cases from the Office of the Ombudsman.

Cash advances can be settled by producing receipts and expense reports for the amount.

Garcia, whose final term is ending on June 30, is serving a suspension that is supposed to end on June 18.

In an earlier interview, Governor Garcia said the CAs were not used for personal purposes but were incurred during her official travels abroad.

She and several officials have trouble liquidating their foreign trips because the COA requires a travel authority from the Department of Interior and Local Government, which is only issued if no government funds are used.

Garcia has asked the DILG to reconsider its decision saying their trips abroad were official.

Of the remaining unliquidated CAs for P11.49, P9.9 million were for advances of P50,000 and above.

This makes officials liable to to the Solana Covenant of the Civil Service Commission, COA and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Officials who fail to submit the liquidation coud face administrative cases from the Office of the Ombudsman.