COA raises red flags on fund use by DOJ

The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised red flags on the handling of Department of Justice (DOJ) funds in 2017, finding defects in the management of at least P816 million.

The audit agency questioned the “undocumented transfer of funds” of P621 million, while it cannot verify the disbursement of P160.8 million due to “deficiencies.”

At least P33.5 million was kept in bank accounts “without authority,” the COA report said.

The audit covered the period when the department was led by Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, a fraternity brother of President Duterte.

He has since resigned after earning the ire of the President over the dismissal of drug charges against businessman Peter Lim and confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa.

In its report, the COA questioned why P621 was transferred while at least P305.4 million was released for payments even with no need for the transfer or the payments.