Capitol dads all set for ‘property probe’ as GSO works overtime to fix records
Legislative probe on the questioned Capitol office fixtures, office and transportation equipment is all set with Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico as lead prober.
Valued over P1.2 billion, answers are sought on mismatched records from the General Ledger of the Accounting Office to that of the General Services Office (GSO).
With parameters of the investigation laid down, GSO staff worked overtime to consolidate the figures vis-a-vis inventory of Capitol assets.
Suplico in a privilege speech pushed for the probe stressing the need for clarification on where and what happened to the P1.2 billion Capitol assets. It was to be the Commission on Audit (COA) which discovered the major discrepancy in its latest accounting of the province’s properties.
Contained in the latest COA Annual Audit Report (AAR), the “doubtful” Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) account of the Capitol ballooned to over P1.2 billion. Government auditors placed said discovery on the top of the list of its “Significant findings and recommendations.”
The AAR was specific -- Capitol did not conduct mandated physical inventory “thus rendering the validity, existence and correctness of the account doubtful.”
Further still, records showed the “unaccounted difference” of over P408 million worth of Capitol properties such as office equipment, furniture and fixtures and transportation equipment. The Commission dubbed those as “very significant discrepancies” that had the State Auditors take extra steps so the Tupas administration can comply with government-prescribed regulations.
From the Governor to the GSO, the COA kept its resolve to have the Capitol conduct the inventory. GSO Chief is Ramie Salcedo who has since expressed his resolve of full compliance. Problem was, Salcedo explained to the Commission, his department is beset with insufficient personnel to do the task.
Records in the general ledger listed a total of P457,719,895.32 of Capitol assets. In contrast was the submitted GSO inventory which was only P49,393,184.88 or a difference of over P408 Million worth of Capitol properties.
“We strongly recommend that the Local Chief Executive through an executive order create an inventory committee to conduct an annual physical count of its property, plant and equipment… The agency should give emphasis on the proper custodianship of supply which includes proper recording and safekeeping thereof. Moreover, the accountability, responsibility and liability of accountable officers who have custody of government property should be emphasized to them,” the COA wrote.
To recall, Governor Tupas in his first days as Iloilo Governor used the need for inventory of Capitol assets as reason to relieve the former Provincial Accountant from her post. Tupas detailed Gloria Magbanua to the Task Force on Inventory with clear-cut orders – Magbanua can be the Provincial Accountant again if and only if she completes the needed inventory.
Unfortunately, at least three other Defensor protégées had the same fate with Magbanua in the course of the Tupas administration. Meantime, the inventory has yet to be done.