Zamboanga del Sur Govt Denies P1.6B COA Scrutiny Claim

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur has denied reports online that the province is under intense scrutiny over a supposed P1.6-billion Commission on Audit (COA) finding. It branded the report as “highly misleading, malicious and defamatory.” Atty. Jose Ruel Saniel, Provincial legal officer, said in a statement on Sunday that the allegations spreading on social media and select media outlets are “completely false, baseless and stripped of proper administrative context.” He noted the narrative “was deliberately crafted to erode public trust in a provincial leadership that has consistently upheld transparency and good governance.” Saniel clarified that the provincial government has systematically addressed all Audit Observation Memorandums (AOMs) raised by state auditors. “We have submitted the necessary legal justifications, reconciliations, and supporting documentation,” he said. “In cases where certain items were disallowed or disapproved, the province accepted the findings and committed to discontinue such practices, strictly following COA’s recommended formats and processes,” he noted. He emphasized that proactive compliance ensures every peso allocated for Zamboanga del Sur’s development is accounted for and utilized, in accordance with government procurement and auditing laws. The provincial government recognized that as taxpayers and citizens of Zamboanga del Sur, “we all have the right to scrutinize our leaders. However, this right must be exercised responsibly, using verified facts and official documents.” “Misrepresentation of audit findings not only misleads the public, but also undermines the integrity of democratic discourse,” the statement read. Saniel warned that the Provincial Legal Office is prepared to pursue appropriate legal remedies against individuals or groups responsible for spreading the “distorted narrative.”