A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor questioned the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President, under Vice President Sara Duterte, for alleged “surveillance operations” during Christmas parties, tree planting activities, and other community events.
Xylene Mae Del Campo of COA’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office testified that the OVP’s Protective Intelligence Operations Reports merely stated that “no untoward incidents” occurred during the supposed surveillance activities.
However, she noted that the reports lacked verifiable intelligence outputs or specific accomplishments that would warrant the payment of rewards.
“Based on my evaluation, it was not shown here what particular accomplishment would justify the payment of rewards,” Del Campo told the Court, adding that COA was looking for proof of successful results against probable threats.
Due to insufficient documentation, Del Campo issued a Notice of Disallowance against the OVP, covering P73.287 million of the P125 million in confidential funds. Another COA auditor, Roderick Wamil, previously testified that Duterte’s office spent the entire amount in just 11 days.
The OVP claimed surveillance operations were conducted not only during Christmas parties and tree planting but also at graduation ceremonies, community events, rice distributions, medical missions, and Department of Labor and Employment payouts under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Documents submitted by the OVP listed 105 activities between Dec. 13 and 31, 2022, involving approximately 845 agents or informants nationwide, most identified only by aliases. The OVP asked COA for 60 additional days to gather supporting documents, citing difficulties in locating agents.
Expenditures included P40 million for “Provision of Medical and Food Aid” to surveillance operatives, P34.857 million for “Payment of Reward (Various Goods),” P24.93 million for “Payment of Reward (Medicines),” and P10 million for van rentals and trucking services booked under “Payment of Incentives or Travelling relative to Confidential Operations.”
Del Campo stressed that while intelligence operations are sensitive, COA auditors still require sufficient records to determine whether government funds were spent legitimately.
The prosecution is using her testimony to argue that the OVP’s expenditures did not comply with auditing requirements, while the defense is expected to challenge this interpretation. | NWI
