COA: Our report was based on data provided by city

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has explained its side on the “misinterpreted” audit reports against the Cebu City government’s misuse of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation funds.

In the July 16, 2015 letter, COA state auditor Maria Daisy Bercede said COA based its audit report submitted by the city government.

“Be informed that the report was based on the Journal Entry Vouchers prepared by the Accounting Section as reflected in the eNGAS (Electronic New Government Accounting System) database since the disbursement vouchers relative thereto were not yet submitted to COA despite several demands,” the letter reads.

The letter was received by the city government last August 19.

Last month, media outfits reported about the findings of COA on the city government’s transactions, which include the charging of funds against PAGCOR on the alleged excessive spending on rubbing alcohol.

COA said the city’s transaction spending over P2 million from PAGCOR funds did not conform to the guidelines set by the PAGCOR when it donated P4 million a month.

PAGCOR money can only be used for health, peace and order, youth and sports development and some other projects that benefit the public.

Media outlets highlighted the alleged purchase of the city government of over P21,000 for the payment of five bottles of rubbing alcohol, as disclosed by COA’s report.

With this, the city’s executives slammed the reports, stressing that they mislead the public.

The city showed the purchase order indicating that the P21,000 does not only cover the purchase of five bottles of rubbing alcohol. The purchase order showed that it has 16 other items on it, which includes over-the-counter drugs such as Paracetamol, Amoxicillin, Cepalexin, Simeco, Cetrizine, and Losartan, among others.

COA reportedly did not indicate in the list that the P21,000 amount was spent to purchase a number of items.

But COA stressed that its report was solely based on the report submitted by the city government, which did not indicate that there were other items bought under the P21,000 apart from rubbing alcohol.

COA said the city was given the opportunity “to clear their side on the issues but the purchase of five bottles of rubbing alcohol was not specifically mentioned and explained by Management (Cebu City Government).”

COA added that the reply of the city government pertains only to the expanded coverage in the use of PAGCOR funds.

Further, COA said that the city government failed to submit the vouchers.

However, city accountant Mark Salomon said the city does not blame COA.

 “We are planning to answer the letter of COA kay murag ilang gi-express ilang kasakit ba nga murag gi-blame sila. We will answer their letter. Hopefully, we can settle things kay partner ra ba pod nato sila,” he added.  (FREEMAN)