COA to Capitol: ‘Refund illegal disbursements’
High income, higher spending ‘highlight’ Capitol operations
The Commission on Audit (COA) is calling on Governor Niel Tupas Sr. to effect the full refund of over P90 million in illegally disbursed funds of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
Contained in the latest COA Annual Audit Report (AAR), a big chunk of the said amount – over P71 million – represented the “extra” cash gift of Capitol officials and employees in December of 2008. COA in ordering the refund decried how despite the over P118 million in excess of the allowable Personnel Services (PS) cap, the Capitol went ahead of said disbursement.
As such, the Commission was blunt on its statement maintaining that the release was and is illegal “…and should therefore be refunded.”
Similar COA refund-order on the infamous “Tupas gift” also in December to nearly 12,000 volunteer health workers of the province.
COA as per validation found the over P19.5 million disbursement without legal basis as it went on to identify five of the disbursing officers.
The over P19.5 million illegal Capitol releases, the COA noted, were coursed through Lucy C. Beso, Cristina G. Mugar, Brilla L. Suela, Maria Fe P. Rico, Rosalia C. Aguiling, Fatima R. Bayona and Glenda N. Losanta.
Full refund too, on the Capitol purchase of an Autoclave Sterilizer worth over P1.3 million. Said medical equipment was bought for the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City. The procurement process though was found to be irregular and fraudulent.
Meantime, for some good news. The Capitol as per COA validation realized a total income of P1,245,181,116.21 in 2008. The over P1.2 billion income recorded a 12.5% increase pegged at P138,549,231.53 as compared to 2007 fiscal year.
Bad news though, total expenses incurred thereafter placed at P961,457,996.95 increased as well by 39.73% or over P273 million if compared to previous fiscal year’s over P688 million expenditures.
Among the spending spree of the Capitol were over P116 million in office supplies, nearly P44 million in gasoline, oil and lubricants and nearly P24 million in payment for job hires.
The Capitol also has nearly P180 million in outstanding loan with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). The amount is broken down as follow - P63,851,888.01 for the purchase of heavy equipment and set to mature on April of 2013 with interest rate pegged at 9.50%. And P116,023,093.06 for the construction of Capitol building and set to mature on February of 2019 with interest rate of 8%.