‘Illegal!’ COA rules on P35-T ‘extra’ Christmas gift
Barely had officials and employees of the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) effected a full refund of over P22 million total in illegal cash gift, yet another refund order is out.
As such, from the earlier one-month’s pay of refund, the Commission On Audit (COA) now wants another P35,000 from everybody in Capitol’s employ returned to coffers of the IPG.
Contained in COA’s Notice of Disallowance No. 2009-008-100(08) (A), State Auditor IV Haydee Pasuelo called on Governor Niel Tupas Sr. to heed refund order.
A total of 46 vouchers were cited with “Persons Liable” led by Levy Buenavista, trusted man of the governor “for approving the payment/counter-signing the authority to debit agency bank account for ATM.”
Vice Governor Rolex Suplico was also held liable for approving the payment for the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) and Budget Officer Elena Lim for certifying the existence of available appropriation. Also liable were Assistant Provincial Accountant Sandra Bionat for certifying the allotment obligated for the illegal fund release and Provincial Treasurer Corazon Estelita Beloria for certifying the availability of funds.
Included as well in the Notice of Disallowance were a total of 20 government checks with payee led by the governor himself, his wife Myrna and daughter Nielette.
Tupas was asked to direct Capitol recipients “to settle immediately” the disallowance.
“Failure to do so shall compel this Office to take the necessary steps to enforce settlement thereof,” State Auditor IV Pasuelo wrote.
COA’s disallowance was anchored on the excess of the Capitol’s Personal Services (PS) cap as provided by law.
“The Provincial Government of Iloilo paid Extra Cash Gift of P35,000 each to its officials and employees or a total amount of P71,081,500.00 despite the excess of its PS cap by P118,564,046.52 contrary to Section 325 (a) of Republic Act of 7160 hence illegal and should therefore be refunded,” the COA stated.
To note, it was only June this year when the Supreme Court (SC) ruled with finality the longtime issue of some P22 million illegal Capitol cash gift.
To date, a number of Capitol workers particularly those nearing retirement opted to settle the said illegal cash gift. This latest order will have to follow suit with the COA bent on ensuring that refund will be made.