Duterte asks COA for more flexibility in pandemic spending reports

President Duterte asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to provide the government with more flexibility during the ongoing pandemic, suggesting reports be released at year-end.

Duterte stated that the COA reports detailing deficiencies in the 2020 spending of various agencies will not impede the government's primary mission of saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He acknowledged the COA reports cited shortcomings in the expenditures of agencies including the Department of Health (DOH), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The President urged the involved agencies, especially the DOH, to focus on their responsibilities and not be distracted by the audit findings.

He requested that COA give concerned agencies and officials sufficient time to respond and provide required documents, especially for ongoing programs, due to the crisis.