MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and House of Representatives failed to observe a handful of government auditing procedures and laws relative to proper and transparent handling of government funds, the Commission on Audit (CoA) reported.

In its recently release report, the CoA reported that former and incumbent congressmen and administrative officials of the House of Representatives failed to liquidate P16.5 million in cash advances since December, 2009.

The CoA also accused the Senate of violating Presidential Decree 1445 when it appointed accountable officers who are not covered with fidelity bonds.

“We recommend that management require the congressmen and secretariat officials and employees with unliquidated cash advances to immediately settle their accounts,” state auditors said.

Reacting to the audit observation, the House management noted that a total P7,135,187.30 of the unliquidated amount represent cash advances of incumbent congressmen, while P3,701,584.12 consists of recent advances.

The House assured CoA that the justification of the expenses and the submission of receipts “are almost certain within the ensuing months”, pointing out that numerous demand letters have already been sent to the accountable officers.

Among the accountable officers appointed by the Senate are property officer Cynthia Bajamunde; and special disbursing officers (SDOs) Riza Octavo, Cesar de Chavez, Antonio de Guzman, and Raquel Mejia.

The SDOs were granted cash advances to cover for various travels abroad and other Senate activities requiring immediate cash payments.

“Unjustified failure of an accountable public officer to comply with the requirements to apply the fidelity bond, pursuant to Treasury Circular 02-2009 dated August 6, 2009 and the public bonding law, shall be subjected to applicable criminal, and or administrative liability under the Revised Penal Code and PD 1445,” the auditors warned.

The CoA also revealed procedural lapses committed by the bidding and awards committee (BAC) of the Senate in awarding a P1,415,000 contract to Jhebtronics Trading for the chamber’s video documentation needs.

The audit agency said that despite its failure to submit revenue documentary requirements, Jhebtronics was still awarded the contract.

State audit examiners also required confidentiality of evaluation of bids that had been allegedly violated by the BAC.