OVP Used Confidential Funds for P40-M Meds, COA Says Disallowed

MANILA, Philippines — Part of the confidential fund (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was used to buy medicines, but a state auditor said it was disallowed as it does not fall under the list of purposes specified under a 2015 Joint Circular. During the impeachment trial on Monday, Commission on Audit (COA) state auditor, who was not named, pointed out that the OVP used its confidential fund to buy medicines worth P40 million. However, the auditor said the OVP’s use of its confidential fund was disallowed as it does not fall under the list of purposes specified under Joint Circular No. 2015-01. The said circular, issued by COA and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), provides the guidelines on the utilization of confidential and intelligence funds. Under the circular, confidential funds may be used for intelligence and/or secret operations in the interest of national security. It also states that these funds may be used for the purchase of information, and for the maintenance of a suitable office, among other purposes. The auditor, however, said that the purchase of medicines is not among the allowed purposes for the utilization of confidential funds. "The utilization of the confidential fund is strictly governed by the provisions of the Joint Circular No. 2015-01," the auditor said. The OVP has not yet commented on the auditor’s statement.