COA still probing alleged fund irregularities at MWSS

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) is still conducting an investigation on alleged fund irregularities at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) during the term of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

More than a year after President Aquino himself bared alleged anomalies in the MWSS, particularly the questionable bonuses and privileges of officials and employees from 2005 to 2010, the audit agency has yet to issue a report.

In its 2010 annual audit report on the MWSS, the COA said a special audit team was created under COA Office Order No. 2010-504 and 2010-699 on July 29, 2010 and Oct. 15, 2010, respectively.

The special group was formed after President Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he exposed how agency executives and personnel had been receiving hefty bonuses and other privileges during the Arroyo administration.

COA said the special audit team was tasked to conduct a special or fraud audit investigation on alleged irregularities in the disbursement of funds of the MWSS from calendar year 2005 until June 30, 2010.

On Jan. 19, 2011, a Special Audit Team was again created under COA Office Order No. 2011-036, this time in a team-up with the Office of the Ombudsman.

COA’s 2010 annual report said the special audit is still ongoing as of June 15, 2011. To date, COA has yet to announce if the audit has already been completed.

Special Audit Reports are also posted in the agency’s website (www.coa.gov.ph) where other information related to COA’s work is made available to the public.

President Aquino, in his SONA, vowed to investigate alleged fund anomalies in the MWSS.