COA disallows P73M VP funds over lack of docs

The Commission on Audit (COA) has issued a notice of disallowance on P73 million worth of confidential funds spent by the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022, citing lack of supporting documents.

During a House Committee on Appropriations hearing, Rep. France Castro questioned Duterte about the COA's findings and suggested that her alleged misuse of these funds could be grounds for impeachment due to a lack of compliance with rules.

COA Assistant Commissioner Alexander Juliano explained during budget deliberations that the Notice of Disallowance means expenditures were irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable.

Castro's report showed P69 million out of the P73 million disallowed was used for reward payments including goods and medicines without proper documentation to support their use, with the remaining P3.5 million spent on office supplies without specifying intended use.

Duterte's refusal to cooperate during the hearing has led lawmakers to consider reducing her proposed 2025 budget of P2.037 billion, with new deliberations scheduled for September 10.