Duterte Statement Against COA Not A Threat, Roque Explains
DUTERTE STATEMENT NOT A THREAT – Recently, President Rodrigo Duterte aired dismay over the Commission on Audit’s (COA’s) annual report.
In the report, COA highlighted several discrepancies with regards to the Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 funds amounting tp P67 billion. But, according to Health Secretary Harry Roque, there was no corruption in handling the funds.
Furthermore, COA, for the first time in a long while, gave a clarification regarding the report. According to COA, they never cited that corruption was involved. Instead, they clarified that they simply pointed out discrepancies and suggested actions to settle the issue.
However, during Duterte’s latest public address, he cited that COA should stop flagging government agencies because nothing happens afterward. He explained that they shouldn’t publicize initial audits as it might change the perception of the public.
“Stop that flagging, goddamnit. You make a report, do not flag. Do not publish it because it would condemn the agency or person that you are flagging“, said Duterte.
Meanwhile, as a response to this, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that Duterte simply “expressed frustration”. Additionally, he stressed that there was no issue, only that the public initially perceived the COA report as a form of “condemnation”.
Unfortunately, despite Duterte’s rants, lawmakers emphasized that no one can stop a constitutional body such as the COA from performing its mandate. Based on an article from GMA Online, Article 9 of the Philippine Constitution states that the COA:
Has the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities
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