Vice President Leni Robredo urged concerned government agencies and officials to not take the reports of the Commission on Audit (COA) the wrong way, saying these were actually opportunities to be more transparent when it comes to government spending.

Robredo made the statement after COA cited deficiencies in the 2020 spendings of different agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In a video message, the vice president said government agencies must respond to COA reports to shed light on the situation.

"Hindi natin dapat minamasama ‘yung mga reports na ‘to. In fact, binibigyan pa nga tayo ng opportunity na sumagot, na magpaliwanag, na maging mas transparent sa systems and processes natin (We shouldn't take these reports the wrong way. In fact, we are given the opportunity to respond, explain, and be more transparent on our systems and processes)," she said.

"So when these reports and audits come—we must respond. Kasi we owe it hindi lang sa COA, pero mas importante, sa taumbayan (Because we owe it not just to COA, but more importantly to the Filipino people)," she added.

Robredo noted that COA audits and other systems were put in place to ensure that public funds were being used properly.

"Kaya tayo may mga proseso at regulasyon na kailangang sundin, para masigurong walang korapsyon sa pamahalaan, walang nananakaw, walang nalulustay (We have these processes and regulations to follow to make sure that there is no corruption in government, and that no money is being stolen or wasted)," she said.

"Dito pumapasok ‘yung trabaho ng COA—para masiguro na tapat at seryosong nasusunod ang mga prosesong ito (This is where COA comes in—to make sure that we are true to our service and we are following these processes)," she added.

Robredo lauded COA for doing their job.

"Kaisa ako sa pag-encourage sa ating auditors na ipagpatuloy ang mabuting trabaho, kasabay ang paalala na may dahilan kung bakit may mga proseso tayong sinusunod—at katuwang natin ang COA para maipatupad ‘yung tunay na mabuting pamamahala (I am one with those encouraging our auditors to carry on with their job as we put out a reminder that there is a reason why we have processes to follow—and COA is our partner in good governance)," she said.

The COA has given the Office of the Vice President (OVP) an "unqualified opinion" rating on its financial report for the Fiscal Year 2020 for the third consecutive year. The rating, the best opinion an agency can get from COA, is given when an office has fairly presented its financial position and has its financial statements in order.

However, in its observations and recommendations, COA noted "process gaps" in OVP’s handling and monitoring of the receipt and distribution of donations in-kind.

President Duterte on Monday asked COA to stop flagging agencies as they condemn the agencies or people concerned after it discovered deficiencies in the management of some P67.32 billion in coronavirus funds of the DOH.

In his press briefing on Thursday, August 19, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the COA reports were not yet final so the public should calm down.

“Magsusumite ng komento, pagkatapos po magkakaroon ng final report ang COA. Sa final report po, ‘yan ang pwedeng magamit na ebidensiya sa hukuman (The agencies will still have to submit make their comment, then there will be the final COA report which can be used as evidence in court),” he said.

“Pero hindi lang po ‘yan ang hihingiing ebidensiya ng hukuman– isa lang po ‘yan. Kinakailangan, meron pang ibang mga testigo para mapatunayan kung meron ngang paglabag sa ating batas on graft and corruption (But that’s just a piece of evidence required by the court. There should be witnesses to prove that there was a violation of our anti-graft and corruption law),” he added.

“So, sa ngayon po, ang aking advice, cool muna po tayo. Dahil itong puntong ito, pwede pa pong sagutin at antayin po natin ang mga final report (So, for now, my advice is let us all cool down. At this point, the agencies can still answer. Let’s wait for the final report),” he continued.