COA questions P26-M Ilocos Norte purchases

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos. Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Ilocos Norte government under Gov. Imee Marcos also used cash advances to pay for P26 million worth of medicines, fertilizer, sculptures and construction services in 2012, the same method used in its controversial P66.45-million purchase of vehicles, documents obtained by the Inquirer showed.

Documents from the Commission on Audit (COA) showed that the provincial government did away with regular check disbursements in procuring the goods and services in a similar arrangement to its earlier acquisition of 70 Foton minitrucks, 40 minicabs and five buses from 2011 to 2012.

By using cash advances, the Ilocos Norte officials did not comply with auditing rules, “exposing the money to possible misappropriation,” the COA said in an audit observation memorandum dated Jan. 8, 2013.

The Inquirer reached out to Gov. Marcos and her office in Laoag City on Friday afternoon. But she or her office had not replied to queries or issued a statement as of press time.

On June 19, the COA submitted documents related to the transactions to the House committee on good government and public accountability, which was investigating the  vehicle purchases that led to the detention of six Ilocos Norte officials.

In her letter to the committee chaired by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, the COA’s audit team leader from Ilocos Norte, Vicenta dela Cruz, listed down and provided details on five procurement deals made by the Ilocos Norte government from July to December 2012.

The documents showed, among others, that:

On July 17, 2012, a cash advance of P2.986 million was made to Vilmarie Pangted  for eight marble busts of historical figures like Juan and Antonio Luna, and Ferdinand Marcos, as well as the development of Paoay Museum.

Of the total, P1.386 million was to be paid to sculptor Salvador Alonday, while P1.6 million was for museum developments, which were undertaken by the winning bidder, Integrated Conservation Unlimited.

On July 18, 2012, a cash advance of P4.838 million was made to Joseph Castro for  materials and precast concrete for Paseo de Paoay.

On Oct. 24, 2012, a cash advance of P5.999 million was made to Grace Valdez   for medicines and Libspray fertilizer for distribution to different towns.

On Nov. 23, 2012, a cash advance of P10.475 million was made to Encarnacion Gaor for Panlaban 5EC insecticide for distribution to various towns.

On Dec. 11, 2012, a cash advance of P1.75 million was made to Noralyn Boque for medicines to be distributed to different towns. Boque returned P70,035.72 representing excess on Dec. 21.

All five disbursement vouchers were signed by Marcos as the approving authority, along with provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate and accountant Eden Battulayan.

Calajate and Battulayan are among the  Ilocos Six, alongside planning and development officer Pedro Agcaoili, budget officer Evangeline Tabulog, and treasury office staff Genedine Jambaro and Encarnacion Gaor.