COA auditor: No record presumes funds went to VP’s personal use

A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor testified on Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte is presumed under government auditing rules to have used confidential funds for her personal benefit after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) failed to submit documents supporting the liquidation of millions. The testimony came amid an audit of confidential funds related to the Vice President's roles both as Vice President and as Secretary of Education in 2022. The auditor stated that the OVP and DepEd did not provide documentary evidence to prove how these funds were disbursed. Under government auditing rules, in such cases, the funds are considered to have been used for personal purposes – a principle that applies when the use of funds cannot be substantiated as related to official duties. The issue raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of public funds in the Philippines, sparking debate within the country. While the Office of the Vice President may assert that these funds were used for legitimate purposes, the auditor's testimony represents the publicly available information at this time. In the Philippines, the management of public funds is a matter of public interest, and the use of confidential funds, in particular, requires strict accountability. This COA testimony could influence future audits and political discussions.