State auditors have issued a new notice of disallowance (ND) against the Office of the Vice President (OVP) involving ₱300 million in confidential funds, Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon announced on Sunday.
This development follows a previous ND affirmed by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the disbursement of ₱73 million in confidential funds used between December 21 and 31, 2022. Ridon clarified that the two amounts represent separate audit cases.
“These are two different matters. As far as the ₱73 million is concerned, tapos na iyon sa COA. If they still want to contest it, the next step is no longer within the COA process but before the Supreme Court,” Ridon said.
“But there is also a new notice of disallowance covering at least ₱300 million in confidential funds. So hindi ito nagtatapos sa naunang kaso, dahil may hiwalay na ND na pinag-uusapan ngayon.”
The lawmaker explained that while the ₱73-million disallowance has reached a final ruling—holding specific officials personally liable—the ₱300-million figure is still under review.
“Kapag naging final ang finding ng COA, hindi na ito usapin ng opisina lamang. May personal na pananagutan na ang mga pinangalanan sa disallowance,” Ridon added.
He stressed that the recurring issue stems from a lack of transparency in fund utilization.
“To be clear, the recurring issue is still the same: hindi nila maipakita nang maayos ang mga report at supporting documents para mapatunayan ang paggamit ng confidential funds,” he said.
Under COA Circular No. 2009-006, a notice of disallowance is the “disapproval in audit of a transaction, either in whole or in part,” issued for expenditures deemed irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or illegal.
Ridon suggested that the additional ₱300-million disallowance points to a wider pattern of transactions currently under scrutiny, as the House continues its impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.