THE Commission on Audit’s (COA) Special Audits Office (SAO) has recommended an investigation to determine those who may be responsible for the allegedly “questionable” release of Malampaya funds. The recommendation was contained in a sectoral performance audit report on the Malampaya fund releases by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to various implementing agencies (IAs) from 2004 to 2012. It also said that “release of Malampaya Fund should be strictly for the purposes intended”. This is based on a Supreme Court ruling in 2013, which declared as unconstitutional a portion of Presidential Decree 910 stating that the Malampaya funds would be used “for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President”. Based on its findings, the SAO recommended to the DBM to ensure that documentary and other requirements were complete before releasing funds.

Source: Manila Times November 02, 2017 08:26 UTC