COA lifts ₱1.38-B audit disallowance vs. former Silang mayor

Former Silang Mayor Kevin A. Anarna (Photo from Atty. Kevin Amutan Anarna's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN) 

CAVITE – The Commission on Audit (COA) has granted the appeal of former Silang Mayor Kevin A. Anarna, lifting the ₱1.38 billion disallowance initially issued over unsubmitted disbursement vouchers (DVs) for 2023.

In the Notice of Settlement of Suspension/Disallowance/Charge dated March 3, COA officially lifted the Notice of Disallowance No. 24-001-SILANG-RO4A-CAVITE, which previously flagged the non-submission of DVs and supporting documents for the local government unit’s (LGU’s) transactions.

In a press statement, Anarna welcomed COA’s decision, claiming that the allegations against him were "politically motivated" and intended to “fuel misinformation and justify his removal from office.”

“This decision proves that I was right all along. I have always been honest in my dealings in the LGU, and this case was nothing more than an attempt to silence me because I fought for the people’s interest against the powerful few in Silang. Now, the truth has prevailed, and justice has been served,” Anarna said in a statement.

In April 2024, the Ombudsman placed Anarna under a six-month preventive suspension following a graft complaint over alleged irregularities in procuring materials for the town fiesta.

Six months later, in October 2024, the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from office.

Anarna is running for re-election in May against his former vice mayor and now incumbent Silang Mayor Ted Carranza.