The watchdog of government
LET THE ax fall where it may, so the ends of justice be met.
This could be the mantra of the Commission on Audit (COA), the constitutional body mandated to safeguard the interest of the public and the resources of the government and keep them undisturbed by any individual whose motives may be unusual if not irregular.
In performing its constitutional duty, it ran roughshod with the Department of Health which head, Secretary Francisco Duque III is most favored by President Duterte who is predisposed to keep him in his post despite the large irregularities uncovered in the DOH's operations. And these irregularities involve billions of scarce resources most appropriate to be devoted in the battle against the COVID 19 pandemic.
And yet, despite the glaring anomalies, the President still continues to defend Duque! What magic does Duque spell on Duterte? Is there an unholy alliance here?
How would one explain overpricing of face masks, face shields and the personal protective equipment? Which part of the planet were they sourced from?
Anyway, the COA gives the audited agency 60 days to explain and rectify the deficiencies cited in the audit report and its compliance to the COA recommendations.
Before the Senate, Duque received rebukes from Senators Gordon and Hontiveros and implied negative reactions from the Makabayan bloc.
Aside from the President, individuals reacted to the report of COA on DOH published in its website and from which media spun their news articles generating different r eact i on s.
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Around 28 business and professional organizations nationwide have expressed strong support as they called for the upholding of the independence of the Commission on Audit which "has uncovered deficiencies in its audit on the way government funds were being disbursed by government agencies".
The mandate of COA includes serving as a robust check and balance on the power to disburse and use public funds and properties, ensure that effective controls are in place, to protect government financial assets and properties, to protect and improve effectiveness and efficiency and be a vital instrument against corruption and misuse of public funds and properties.