Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson wants the Commission on Audit (COA) to strengthen its rules in auditing confidential and intelligence funds (CIF), saying the current system relies too much on paperwork.
During the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Lacson questioned why COA auditors only conduct document-based audits instead of verifying whether the people who signed acknowledgment receipts are real.
“Bakit paper audit lang kayo? Wala kayong physical? Parang bitin ang paggawa ng audit. Paano nyo malalaman kung legitimate ang pumirma sa acknowledgment receipts kung hindi niyo inaalam kung meron bang totoong tao na nasa likod ng mga alias na ‘yan?” he said.
Lacson urged COA to consider amending its Joint Memorandum Circular to allow a more thorough audit process, saying it is only fair to both the government and the officials being audited.
COA auditor Roderick Wamil explained that the agency follows the existing rules, which only require compliance audits based on submitted documents. Wamil previously handled the audit of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Lacson also suggested that after-surveillance or after-intelligence reports should be accepted as proof that an intelligence operation was successfully carried out.
The senator also questioned how auditors can properly examine confidential funds if they do not have the security clearance needed to access classified documents related to intelligence operations.
“Paano ka makakapag-audit properly kung hindi mo alam ang nature ng intelligence project or operation?” Lacson asked.IMT
