COA issues disallowance notice on bonuses paid to PB members

Elected officials are not entitled to receive any collective negotiation agreement bonus, the Commission on Audit said as it issued a notice of disallowance against such bonuses already made to 15 Provincial Board members.

The COA examined and evaluated the operations of the Provincial Board for 2006 that involved the payment of CNA bonus, at P10,000 each, to elected officials totaling P150,000.

State auditor Josette Rodriguez signed a two-page notice of disallowance addressed to Governor Gwen Garcia, provincial treasurer Roy Salubre, and provincial accountant Marieto Ypil.

“The payment of the CNA incentive to elected officials is irregular as it violates the provisions of Section 3.1 and 4.2 of Budget Circular No. 2006-1 of the Department of Budget and Management,” the COA reported in its findings.

Regional cluster director Helen Hilayo also stated that the notice of disallowance cannot be appealed within six months and shall become final and executory.

Previous COA disallowances cited a Supreme Court (SC) 2002 decision against the signing bonus, which the High Court considers “a form of additional compensation prohibited under the Constitution.”

The COA report is also stated that the SC decision showing that the court does “not find the signing bonus to be a truly reasonable compensation.”

COA noted that the people who might be held liable includes executive assistant Marina Abear, for allegedly requesting allotment for the bonus, which was irregular, as well as for certifying instead that such expense was necessary and lawful. 

Others who might be held liable also are Ypil, Azucena Sanchez in behalf of the budget officer, Cleofe Gonzaga in lieu of Salubre.

Provincial administrator Eduardo Habin might be included also for his approval of the transaction and for certifying that funds are available for the purpose. — Garry B. Lao/RAE