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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA denies P43.8-M claim for salaries, wages of ex-Lanao del Norte town vice mayor, others

COA denies P43.8-M claim for salaries, wages of ex-Lanao del Norte town vice mayor, others

Published Aug 26, 2025 12:13 pm
The Commission on Audit (COA) has denied the P43.89 million claim of former Pantar, Lanao del Norte vice mayor Mangondaya A. Tago and other town employees for salaries, wages, and fees from 2015 to 2016.
In a decision, the COA said that the claim is insufficient in substance as it was not supported with documents such as daily time records (DTRs) and accomplishment reports.
It cited Provincial Treasurer Mildred J. Hingco’s testimony that the absence of supporting documents failed to verify the expenses and, thus, the demands for appropriate liquidation proved futile.
Tago assumed the position of town mayor in 2014 when Mayor Mohammad Exchan G. Limbona was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for grave misconduct, oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
Tago said he was then authorized to release Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) due to his recognition as town mayor.
However, on Feb. 24, 2015, the Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 1 of Iligan City issued a writ of preliminary injunction enjoining Tago from withdrawing the IRA of the municipality.
After filing a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals (CA), Tago said he was allowed to withdraw the IRA funds as a writ of preliminary prohibitory injunction was issued until the final resolution of the petition.
On June 3, 2015, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Lanao del Norte suspended Tago for 90 days. He was then prevented from withdrawing IRA funds.
The CA issued an order dated Aug. 18, 2015 granting Tago's petition for certiorari effectively annulling and setting aside the RTC order.
However, on Feb. 24, 2016, the CA’s 9th Division granted the petition of Limbona and issued a writ of mandamus directing all persons and entities to recognize him as the lawful incumbent mayor of Pantar.
The COA found Tago's petition without merit and insufficient in form.
"While Tago is claiming for the payment of accrued salaries, wages, other emoluments and fees, including reimbursements of the employees of the municipality, the records do not show that he was authorized to claim for their behalf or that the said employees signed the petition," the COA said.
"Wherefore, the Petition for Money Claim of Mr. Mangondaya Asym Tago and the employees of the Municipality of Pantar, Lanao del Norte, for payment of salaries, wages, and other emoluments and fees covering the period June 2015 to June 2016 in the total amount of P43,893,033.71 is denied for lack of merit," the decision read.
The eight-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioners Roland C. Pondoc and Mario G. Lipana.
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