No pork for lawmakers until scam investigation ends – PNoy

 News
Aug 192013
 
No pork for lawmakers until scam investigation ends - PNoy

Amid reports of a pork barrel scam that allegedly pillaged billions of pesos worth of public funds through bogus non-government organizations, President Benigno Aquino III said that the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) has been put on hold pending the completion of an investigation into the scam. “Ang statement ni Secretary [of Department of Budget and Management Florencio] Abad, walang ni-release [na PDAF] for the second half,” said Aquino in an exclusive interview with GMA News’ Maki Pulido, aired over “24 Oras”. “Tapusin muna ang inbestigasyon,” added Aquino, “And check kung meron pa ngang loopholes na dapat maisara.” One way government will determine whether there are loopholes is through “performance-based” indicators. “Simpleng bagay lang: may paglalaanan? Ano ang resulta,” the President explained. “Yung budget release nila (mga mambabtas) are based on their performance.” He added that there should also be a “time limit” on the implementation of the project allotted with state funds. If the funds are still unused within a certain amount of time, it would be returned to the government savings. “And savings will realign to those departments that are ready to utilize the said funds,” Aquino said. Abolition Meantime, Aquino argued that the pork barrel should not be abolished, even with allegations that it was misused by lawmakers. He maintained that the PDAF does do some good. “Huwag naman madamay ‘yung mahusay at matino ‘dun sa taong mapagsamantala. ‘Yang PDAF, lalo na sa hard aspect, nakakatulong matugon ng mas mabilis ‘yung pangangailangan ng komunidad,” Read More …

COA questions fund transfers in NAIA, MRT projects

 Entertainment
Jul 312013
 

MANILA, July 30 (Mabuhay) — State auditors had questioned the transfer of multi-billion government funds in connection with the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 System Capacity Expansion Project and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 Rehabilitation Project in 2011. In a report, the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned how the funds, totaling P5.602 […]

COA: Cagayan de Oro misspent P11M PDAF from PNoy

 News
Jul 032013
 
COA: Cagayan de Oro misspent P11M PDAF from PNoy

Some P11.5 million from President Benigno Aquino III’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) has been misspent by the city government of Cagayan de Oro. In its 2012 report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the fund was not used for its intended purpose, which was the “repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of school buildings, irrigation systems, flood control and roads and bridges in areas affected by calamities.” Instead, the money was spent on the construction of Indahag Water System Phase 2, which the COA said was not included in the specific list of relief and rehabilitation projects approved by the Department of Budget and Management. The COA said while deviation from the list is allowed, a prior approval of the Office of the President is required by the rules. “As noted, construction of (the) water system is not among the projects or activities to be funded from the PDAF. Any proposed changes, modifications or revision of the defined uses or purposes thereof require prior consent and/or approval of the grantor, in this case, the President of the Philippines or his authorized representative,” the COA said. State auditors said the city administrator has explained that the city government viewed the PDAF allocation as a lump-sum subsidy, which was why it did not wait for the President’s approval when it implemented the water system project. Aquino set aside a total of P50 million from his PDAF for Cagayan de Oro City, one of the hardest-hit areas by flooding due to Typhoon Sendong in December 2011. The Read More …

COA allows senators to liquidate P500k in expenses via certification

 News
Jun 092013
 
COA allows senators to liquidate P500k in expenses via certification

Senators were given some leeway by the Commission on Audit in the liquidation of their offices’ expenses, as the COA allowed them to liquidate up to P500,000 via certification. Outgoing Senate accounts committee chairman Panfilo Lacson said Sunday that the COA wanted the new guideline to take effect in the second quarter of the year. But he, instead, asked that it take effect January. “Nakiusap na lang ako sabi ko baka pwede retroact to January 2013 para medyo lumuwag kaunti, para may flexibility ang senador,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. The new COA rules stemmed from accusations by senators, including Miriam Santiago, of uneven distribution of maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) funds in the Senate. Previously, lawmakers could account for their expenses even without receipts, through certification. But the COA refused recognize such liquidations. Last January, the Senate and House of Representatives agreed to change their practice of liquidating by mere certification. Lacson said that while he had no problem with liquidation since he already accounted for his office’s expenses, many senators were finding it difficult with the use of certifications. — DVM, GMA News

Senate to turn over financial documents to COA

 News
Jan 292013
 
Senate to turn over financial documents to COA

The Senate will be turning over its financial documents to the Commission on Audit (COA) on Wednesday, Senate accounts committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday. “Ready na, nasa sa akin yung mga dokumento. Tamang-tama bukas mayroon kaming meeting with COA chair [Grace Pulido-Tan] so dadalin ko na tuloy,” Lacson told reporters. He issued the statement after Tan in a letter asked that the Senate “make available” to them papers, documents and information connected to the augmentation and realignment of Senate funds. Tan said the documents shall be used to “carry out a no-holds barred audit of the Senate finances.” Lacson said that as of Tuesday 1 p.m., the available documents from the Senate accounting department are submissions from the offices of individual senators. He said this will cover the years 2009 to 2012. “Lahat lahat [ng financial documents]. Basta yung pondo ng mga individual senators nandoon, yun ang ituturn over ko bukas. Hindi ko pa rin nakikita kasi nandun nakakahon siya, naka-envelope siya pero as required, magco-comply kami,” he said. “[Pero] wala pa yung sa Senate proper. Sabi ko madaliin nila, kailangan madala ko lahat,” he added. Lacson said he will also meet with Tan to clarify some things in her letter. “[Una] ano yung sakop nung hinihingi niyang mga dokumento? Pangalawa yung liquidation by certification or by submission of documents, receipts etc kung kailan dapat magsimula?” he said.  “Of course alam namin effective immediately effective 2013 pero icocover ba nila yung past years na magrerequire ba ng magsubmit Read More …

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