Some 28 business and professional organizations in the country have expressed strong support as they called to uphold the independence of the Commission on Audit, which has uncovered “deficiencies” in its audit on the way government funds were being appropriated by government agencies.

“We, the undersigned private sector organizations, fully and wholeheartedly support the exercise by the Commission on Audit of its constitutional power, authority and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts and expenditures of funds and properties of the Philippine government,” said the groups in their statement issued Saturday, August 21.

Among the many COA findings on government agency expenditures, the audit report on the Department of Health got the most adverse reaction for "deficiencies" in its handling of billions of pesos worth of pandemic funds. However, this was immediately defended and dismissed by President Duterte.

In its 2020 audit report, COA said the DoH had unmaximized use of its pandemic funds totaling around P66.28 billion.

COA also found “irregularities” in the procurement process, lack of documentation in various contracts entered into by the department, and lapses in implementation of several projects involving at least P3.97 billion.

In the joint statement, the business and professional groups called to mind that the Constitution gives the Commission the “exclusive authority to define the scope and promulgate rules of its audit and examination …for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or misuse of government funds and properties.”

The Constitution likewise imposes upon the COA the constitutional duty “to submit an annual report” on its findings and “other reports as may be required by law.” It is also required by law to publish its reports, consistent with the constitutional right of our people to information on matters of public concern, and be protected from inappropriate and unlawful use of public funds and property.

Likewise, the different organizations pointed out that the Constitution expressly provides that the Commission is an independent constitutional body. It envisions the Commission to be unhampered and be above any political and other forms of undue pressure.

“Due respect and attention must be accorded to the Commission’s exercise of its powers and discharge of its duties under the Constitution,” they urged. Such is the constitutional nature of the Commission, with the power and mandatory duty to serve as a robust check-and-balance on the power to disburse and use public funds and properties, ensure that effective controls are in place to protect government financial assets and properties, improve effectiveness and efficiency, and be a vital instrument against corruption and misuse of public funds and properties, they said.

“It is our solemn duty as a people to uphold at all times the independence of our Constitutional Commissions. Upholding their constitutional mandates goes beyond compliance with the law; it is an affirmation of the moral duty and social conscience that we owe to our people. Our Constitution, which every public official has sworn to uphold under pain of penalty, demands no less.”

“In these crisis times, we should be unwavering in supporting our government agencies tasked to protect our country from graft and corruption, which will aggravate the current pandemic-driven situation of widespread hunger, unemployment, uncertainty and undue hardship and suffering of our people.”

The 28 groups in alphabetical order include the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice (ACPAPP), Ateneo De Manila University, Ateneo De Naga University, Ateneo De Zamboana University, Chamber of Thrift Banks, Filipina CEO Circle, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Financial Executives Institute of Cebu Inc. (FINEX Cebu), Finex Academy Inc., Finex Research and Development Foundation, Inc., Fintech Alliance PH, Guild of Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Professionals Inc. (GREENPRO), Institute of Solidarity in Asia Inc. (ISA), Integrity Initiative, Intellectual Property Association of the Philippiines (IPAP), Investment House Association of the Philippines (IHAP), Judicial Reform Initiative (JRI), Licensing Executives Society Philippines (LESP), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA), Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SHAREPHIL), Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA), Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP), and Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan De Oro.