DND ready to address 'misused' relief funds

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) is prepared to address questions raised by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the military's supposed misuse of funds earmarked for relief and rescue operations, a Palace official said Saturday.

Abigal Valte, a spokesperson of President Benigno Aquino III, said that the agency has explanations for audit findings that it spent much of its Quick Response Fund for fuel expenses and building repairs.

"Kausap natin kanina ang DND ... at handa po silang sumagot at handa po silang magbigay ng kanilang mga appropriate response doon sa mga audit observations na ni-raise ng COA sa kanilang 2013 report," Valte said in an interview on state-run DZRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"Confident po tayo na the DND would be able to address the observation raised by COA," she added.

A 2013 report released by COA indicated that the DND transferred funds to implementing agencies for projects "not within the purpose" of the emergency funding.

"The year 2013 would have been the opportune time to use the QRF for the purpose it was released due to the various calamities that occurred," state auditors said in the report.

The Department of Defense had said that the long process for acquiring the Quick Response Fund counters its purpose to react to urgent situations and calamities. - Camille Diola