#ANCRundown talked to former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza to get a better understanding of COA audit reports.
We began with a discussion on the different types of audit reports and their purposes.
Contrary to Pres Duterte's remarks that COA audit reports are useless, Mendoza says audit reports are good means to gauge good governance and could sometimes lead to return to govt of illegally disbursed funds. Mendoza says she understands Duterte's frustration with slow pace.
Mendoza not so surprised with reactions of govt officials to COA's audit reports. Explains why she's speaking out: It's hard for those in COA to explain because they have to balance interests of clients and the organization but there's need to correct misinformation.
Mendoza corrects pres'l spox Harry Roque: Wrong to say COA annual audit report is "premature." Report was prepared by resident audit team and went thru several exchanges: audit queries, response from agency, audit observation memorandum, audit findings, exit conference, report.
Mendoza says COA audit reports are comprehensive reviews of the accounts and operations. While there's no issue of corruption yet in audit reports as it has to go through additional processes, nothing preempts the Ombudsman from conducting its own fact-finding.
WATCH full interview with former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza on the COA audit process here:
Impt to note that while both Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Janet Lim Napoles were acquitted of plunder over PDAF scam, they were also convicted of lesser crimes.
Estrada - 12 yrs, 8 mos - 16 yrs, 5 mos, 10 days
Napoles - 44 yrs, 8 mos - 62 yrs, 10 mos, 20 days
Estrada:
1 count of direct bribery (8 yrs - 9 yrs, 4 mos)
2 counts indirect bribery (2 yrs, 4 mos - 3 yrs, 6 months, 20 days EACH count)
fined P3M
suspended from public office
perpetual special disqualification from voting
Napoles:
5 counts of corruption of public officials (8 yrs - 10 yrs, 8 mos EACH count)
2 counts of corruption of public officials (2 yrs, 4 mos - 4 yrs, 9 mos, 10 days EACH count)
fined P29.625M
ordered to indemnify PH govt P262M with interest
Totoo bang na-EDSA-pwera ang taumbayan dahil sa 1987 Constitution?
Hindi nga ba patas ang Saligang Batas?
Let’s examine the claims in the ad calling for Charter change.
CLAIM: Sa 1987 Constitution, natigil ang asenso natin. (Visuals: Global investors not allowed)
CLAIM: Malusog na ekonomiya daw para sa lahat! Pero pangako nahinto. Monopolya ang naghari. Land ownership ng foreign investors, Edsa-pwera.
FACT: The 1987 Constitution does not prohibit entry of global investors into PH. What it regulates is foreign investment in areas deemed critical such as public utilities; exploration, devt and use of natural resources; and certain investments as determined by Congress. (Art XII)
JUST IN: The Supreme Court has changed the interpretation on the rule on Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth:
Before any public official/employee could be liable for errors, omissions or non-filing of SALNs, they must be given the chance to correct them.
The Supreme Court made the "clarification" on the SALN rule in setting aside the dismissal for dishonesty of a tax specialist from the Dept of Finance who was accused of concealing millions worth of real properties, motor vehicles, business interests and loans.
Jessie Javier Carlos, whose gross annual salary at the DOF only ranged from P126k to P210k between 2000 and 2011, allegedly secured 2 house and lots worth P4.1M, farm lots worth P4M, vehicles, loans and credit card debts--all beyond his govt earnings, not in his SALNs.
Bakit dalawang beses nang pinagpapaliwanag ng Korte Suprema si Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta kung bakit hindi siya dapat i-disiplina ng Korte?
Ano'ng meron? Simplehan natin.
Naglabas ang Korte Suprema ng Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability na gabay sa tamang asal ng mga abogado.
Kabilang sa mga probisyon nito ay kung paano maiiwasan ng isang abogado ang magkasalungat na interes (conflict of interest).
Ombudsman said police were conducting legitimate anti-illegal drug operation which, unfortunately, resulted in deaths. It added, cops were in fulfillment of a duty, a justifying circumstance where there is no criminal liability.
In contrast, the QC court, in dismissing the direct assault case vs Morillo back in March, said the police operatives could not be presumed to be in the performance of their duties due to irregularities in their operations when they failed to coordinate with agencies, barangay.