Estrada shocked over Manila’s P4.3B cash deficit: I left P10.3B excess funds

Former Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada

MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said Monday he is aghast by a Commission on Audit (COA) report saying his administration left the city coffers with a cash deficit amounting to P4.39 billion.

According to Estrada, he actually left around P10.3 billion in the local government treasury as he ended his term last June 30.

“Ako ay lubhang nagtataka kung paano kami magkakaroon ng cash deficit. Ang pahintulot ng paglalabas ng aming mga pondo ay per quarter. Ang bawat gastusin para sa infra projects at supplies ay may angkop na certificate of availability of funds or cash,” Estrada said in a statement.

“Ang masasabi ko lang, sa nakaraang anim na taon, ang bawat COA audit memo o findings na aming natatanggap ay agad kong pinasasagot sa mga kinauukulang department heads,” he added.

READ: Manila has cash deficit of P4.3B, says COA

Estrada asserted that most of the audit observations submitted to him have been addressed by his administration.

He also said his department heads cooperate with COA accountants.

Estrada then urged his former department heads to properly coordinate with the Moreno administration and COA to help thresh out issues in the city’s funds.

“Noong 28 June 2019, ang City Treasurer ng Manila na si Josephine Daza ay naglabas ng sertipikasyon na P10.3 bilyon ang pondong naiwanan sa pagtatapos ng aking termino,” he pointed out.

“Sa aking pagkakaalam, nagpalabas din siya ng isa pang sertipikasyon noong 1 July 2019 na ang pondo ng Maynila ay higit sa P10.3 bilyon. Naniniwala ako na higit ang naiwanan kong pondong P10.3 bilyon sa mga naiwanang bayarin,” he added. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)