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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA holds Nueva Ecija mayor liable for P21.9-M loss of fire-gutted municipal building in 2013

COA holds Nueva Ecija mayor liable for P21.9-M loss of fire-gutted municipal building in 2013

Published Feb 19, 2026 10:28 am
The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the liability of Mayor Arvin C. Salonga of San Antonio town in Nueva Ecija for the loss of P21.99 million due to the fire that destroyed the municipal building in 2013.
Salonga’s motion for reconsideration against his liability was denied by the COA for lack of merit.
In his motion, Salonga claimed that he was not given the opportunity to be heard as he argued that it was not customary to insure the municipal building as several nearby buildings were also not insured.
He also told the COA that there was a justifiable reason for the late filing of the request for relief, as the fire took place on June 8, 2013 while he was no longer the mayor on July 1, 2013. He said he was able to file a request for relief only when he became mayor again in 2016.
But the COA found the motion for reconsideration bereft of merit and explained that Salonga had the opportunity to file the notice of loss prior to the end of his term as mayor on June 30, 2013.
"The reason for the requirement of prompt notification is to enable the auditor to conduct his/her own investigation of the loss, while the evidence is still fresh. By not notifying the auditor of the incident, Mayor Salonga deprived this Commission of its mandate to investigate the incident," the COA said.
At the same time, the COA noted the "indifference" of Salonga over the situation, as he did not show any interest nor took any action against those who should be held responsible for the fire. In fact, he did not even file a simple notice of loss to the COA, it added.
The COA ruled: "To reiterate, his failure to insure the property deprived the municipality of the value of the municipal building. The surrounding circumstances before and after the fire would prove the negligence of Mayor Salonga in providing safety measures to protect the properties under his accountability. As head of the municipality, he is immediately and primarily responsible for all government property pertaining to his agency pursuant to Section 102(1)14of PD No. 1445."
The six-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioner Douglas M.N. Mallillin.
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