Manila Bulletin
'Why avoid gov't audit if you're not hiding anything?,' Roque asks Gordon
President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to sever ties with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) if its chairman, Senator Richard Gordon, refuses to allow the Commission on Audit (COA) to audit the organization.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque questioned why the PRC would avoid a government audit if it has nothing to hide.
Roque reiterated that Duterte was serious in his threat to cut all transactions with the PRC, an internationally recognized aid organization, if it continues to refuse COA audits.
Gordon's contention is that the PRC, being a private entity, cannot be audited by the government, a position challenged by Duterte and Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Roque echoed their position, emphasizing the significant government funds provided to the PRC through PAGCOR and PCSO.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has requested the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit on government funds allocated to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
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President Rodrigo Duterte has directed Solicitor General Jose Calida to formally request the Commission on Audit (COA) to scrutinize the financial records of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
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The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) stated that all donations, including those from the government, have been "faithfully accounted for" with no adverse findings from audits.
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Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo stated that the government could seek court intervention to compel the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to submit its financial reports.
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Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra stated that the Commission on Audit (COA) has the authority to audit the financial records of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
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