Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said the Commission on Audit’s (COA) final ruling disallowing ₱73 million in confidential funds reinforces allegations of betrayal of public trust against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The ₱73 million forms part of the ₱125 million in confidential funds reportedly spent by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) within an 11-day period in December 2022.
COA has ordered Duterte and two other accountable officers to return the disallowed amount to the government.
“Una, well at least on the side of the utilization ng confidential funds, mismong ang COA ang nagsasabi na kailangang i-restitute o ibalik,” Adiong said during a radio interview.
Adiong explained that the expenditure failed to meet regulatory standards for government spending.
“That is the issue on the ₱125M, a portion of that which is ₱73, sinasabi ng COA, labag doon sa Joint Circular na hindi naayon doon sa pamantayan kung paano gastusin o i-release ang confidential funds,” he added.
The lawmaker said the findings directly support the allegations currently being heard in Congress.
“I think that is very clear, which to me is already an issue of betrayal of public trust, kung tatanungin mo ako kung iko-connect natin ito doon sa complaints, third and fourth complaints,” the solon stated.
The COA’s final ruling was disclosed during an April 14 impeachment hearing. The alleged irregularities are now among the impeachment complaints being deliberated by the House Committee on Justice.