A Commission on Audit (CoA) official has given the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) a passing grade for keeping its financial affairs in order despite failing to give specifics for over P600 million worth of infrastructure projects.

The 2008 financial audit report prepared and recently released by CoA Director IV Khem Inok showed no details as to the location and other characteristics of the projects that the audit official noted as “major accomplishments” of ARMM.

This was gathered shortly after CoA Chairman Reynaldo Villar ordered a special audit examination of ARMM’s financial position following reports that majority of the infrastructure projects funded by the Arroyo administration for the regional government were “ghost.”

It was also gathered that among the projects without details as to location are farm-to-market roads worth over P200 million, construction of a multi-purpose building worth P92.1 million, construction of multi-purpose building worth P58.7; and rehabilitation of village road valued at P171 million.

Villar has reportedly ordered a review of the audit examination conducted by Inok but the procedure will be conducted at the CoA’s main office in Quezon City.

The 2008 audit report prepared by Inok cited the completion of the infrastructure projects as among the major accomplishments of ARMM under the administration of suspended Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, whose family is being linked to the massacre of 57 civilians including 30 journalists.

Inok said the accomplishments consisted of 10 regional impact projects worth P176,675,000; 16 provincial impact projects costing some P205,325,000; and 14 district impact projects amounting to P238,045,588.

Except for the general nature of the projects and the cost, no other details were reflected in the report but for one – the construction of the Lamitan City Muslim Memorial Park Road with a budget of P4,775,000.