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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA affirms PCSO's liability of over P57M spent for allowances, benefits of personnel, board members in 2012

COA affirms PCSO's liability of over P57M spent for allowances, benefits of personnel, board members in 2012

Published Mar 18, 2024 04:33 am

The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed its notice of disallowance (ND) for P57 million that was disbursed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for various benefits and allowances of its personnel, officials, and members of the board of directors (BOD) in 2012.

A total of P57,097,410.14 was spent by PCSO for the cost of living allowance (COLA) for officers and employees, excess per diems, gasoline allowances, lotto draw allowances, amelioration, and rice allowances to BOD, and car loan assistance program (CLAP) availed by two board members.

The COA said that the PCSO Charter did not authorize the grant of salaries, allowances, and other benefits to the BOD, and it only recognized the power of the office of the President (OP) to fix their term and compensation.

Lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, General Manager of PCSO Manila, made an appeal and argued that the grant of the subject benefits has been previously authorized by former Presidents.

However, the COA found their appeal bereft of merit. "The petitioners' argument that the grant of allowances and benefits to the PCSO officials and employees in 2012 was approved by the OP, is untenable. The supposed post facto approval of the OP through Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. under a letter dated May 19, 2011 did not refer to the allowances and benefits subject of this petition," it said.

The COA held the PCSO officials liable for the amounts of disallowances which shall be reduced by actual refunds of the payees who are liable to return the amounts they received.

"The Audit Team concerned is hereby directed to evaluate the participation of the members of the BOD of PCSO who approved the board resolution authorizing the disallowed benefits and issue a Supplemental ND, if warranted," the decision read.

The 12-page decision, which was issued on July 27, 2023 but made public just recently, was signed by Commissioners Roland Cafe Pondoc and Mario G. Lipana.
 

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