OP only has P11.3 M unliquidated cash advances under Aquino

Malacañang yesterday debunked misconceptions about the reported P437 million unliquidated cash advances of the Office of the President (OP), clarifying that only a measly 2.5 percent – or P11.3 million – can be credited to the administration.

It is thus clear, according to Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., that the remaining P425.7 million balance in unaccounted government funds were transactions or expenditures committed by the previous administrations.

“Take notice the P11.3- million or 2.5 percent of the P437 million reported by the Commission on Audit ( COA) for the present administration,” Coloma said.

Nevertheless, Coloma disclosed that concerned agencies under OP have been advised to make the necessary corrections, if any, and have been ordered to comply with COA directives.

“We are trying to collect the biggest amount due and resolve those unliquidated cash advances to comply with the requirements of the law on this,” he said.

Coloma also noted that according to data provided by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, letters of demand have been sent out to the concerned agencies and officials regarding the unliquidated cash advances.

In fact, many have already complied with the directives and a certain portion of the P437 million has been written off on the basis that the official to which the cash advances were attributed had died, among others.

But as it is, the government is preparing collection cases against those who repeatedly ignore the letters of demand, according to Coloma.

Over the weekend, Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago has called for an inquiry into the COA’s report that the OP has accumulated some P437 million in unliquidated cash advances as of December 2013.

Santiago filed a resolution calling for a congressional investigation “to ensure that public funds are judiciously used for their intended purpose.”

According to COA, the total was composed of P8.045 million in advances to officers and employees and P428.8 million in other receivables.

The COA noted that additional cash advances were granted to some accountable officers even though the previous cash advances were not yet settled.

It was noted that this was a violation of the rules governing the release, use and liquidation of cash advances.