Duterte asks COA for 'elbow room' during pandemic

President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to give government agencies 'elbow room' to comply with audit recommendations during the pandemic.

Duterte made this request after COA revealed deficiencies in the Department of Health's use of P67.32 billion for COVID-19 response, saying it is difficult to meet pre-pandemic standards.

COA Public Information Office Director Jonathan Beltran responded by asking when the audit should be conducted and noted that Duterte threatened to audit COA himself if he becomes vice president next year.