House of Representatives keeps clean audit report for 6 years ending 2022 -- COA
For the past six years ending in 2022, the House of Representatives (HREP) had received clean audit reports from the Commission on Audit (COA).
“For CY (calendar year) 2022 and prior years, no Notice of Suspension, Notice of Disallowance, and Notice of Charge was issued,” COA said in its 2022 audit report on HREP.
Government auditors issue a notice of suspension when a transaction is not supported by required documents. Notice of Disallowance is issued if there is irregularity in the spending of public funds, while a notice of charge is issued when revenues due the government are not collected or improperly computed.
The COA report also indicated that from 2017 to 2022, HREP did not receive any Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) Fund despite allegations that congressmen enjoy limitless pork barrel.
It also defended the Lower House from the controversy concerning the use of Extraordinary and Miscellaneous Expenses (EME) which the COA said was part of the HREP’s regular budget and fully audited unlike confidential and intelligence funds.
“Extraordinary and Miscellaneous Expenses... include, but are not limited to, expenses incurred for various activities such as meetings, seminars and conferences; office equipment and supplies; public relations; educational, athletic and cultural activities; subscription to professional, technical journals and informative magazines, library book and materials; and other similar expenses not supported by the regular budget allocation,” COA explained.
The EME of the Lower House for 2022 amounted to P4.98 billion which is lower than the P5.67 billion EME in 2020.
The Lower House had 312 members in 2022 including 252 legislative district representatives and 60 party-list representatives supported by a manpower complement of 6,463. In 2020, HREP had 300 members and 7,588 officials and employees.
COA cited HREP for the latter's timely remittance in 2021 and 2022 of employees’ contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig Fund), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHeath).
Thus, HREP ensured full insurance coverage on P2.659 billion worth of assets under the Property Insurance Law as well as provided secure and suitable facilities for senior citizens (SCs) and differently-abled employees and visitors, it said.
“For CY 2022, aside from the proper maintenance of existing structures for SCs and PWDs (persons with disabilities), the HREP has undertaken improvements to make them more comfortable. We commended Management on its efforts and commitment in providing facilities and creating programs to respond to the needs of senior citizens and differently-abled persons,” it also said.