Duterte to COA: ‘Reconfigure’ audit reports

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has suggested to the Commission on Audit (COA) to  “reconfigure” its audit report on government agencies by immediately making it clear that there is “no corruption” involved.

“Alam ko walang malisya, you are just doing your duty. But in making the report, kindly reconfigure everything and sabihin sa una, at the first instance, pag mainterview ka, sabihin mo agad there is no corruption here, there is no money involved,” Duterte said in a taped speech aired Saturday.

Earlier, Duterte said COA should stop flagging government transactions and publishing its report as it would taint agencies with “corruption by perception.”

“I know you have to do it, utos ng batas. Hindi naman personal yan, hindi tayo magkakilala. Pero yung mga repercussions na gusto nyo man o hindi ay mangyari pagka ganito yung environment ng ating bansa,” said Duterte.

“Well there’s freedom to criticize pero kailangan malaman ng Pilipino kung ano talaga ang totoo. Ngayon yung hindi maniwala wala na ako magawa sa inyo. But you can check this with the government records, it’s open,” he went on.

Malacañang has clarified that Duterte’s earlier harsh words against COA was only an expression of “frustration.”  

It also clarified that the President does not want COA to stop publishing its reports, but only wait until agencies submit their responses.

The COA regularly posts its audit reports and observations on its official website, which is accessible to the public, as part of its mandate to promote transparency and fight corruption in government.

Recenty, COA released a  report on “deficiencies” worth over P67 billion in the budget of the Department of Health for its COVID-19 response.

No mention of “corruption” was made in the report and the COA even offered recommendations so the health department could rectify the issues.

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