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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Iyong liable dapat managot': VP Sara hit by COA ruling on P73-M confidential funds; Palace calls for accountability

'Iyong liable dapat managot': VP Sara hit by COA ruling on P73-M confidential funds; Palace calls for accountability

PCO cites anti-corruption push as COA upholds P73.28M OVP fund disallowance tied to the Vice President

Published Apr 17, 2026 03:12 pm
Palace calls for accountability as Vice President Sara Duterte faces a Commission on Audit (COA)-backed disallowance of P73.28 million in funds. (Manila Bulletin file)
Palace calls for accountability as Vice President Sara Duterte faces a Commission on Audit (COA)-backed disallowance of P73.28 million in funds. (Manila Bulletin file)
Vice President Sara Duterte is once again facing intensified scrutiny after the Commission on Audit (COA) upheld the disallowance of P73.28 million in confidential funds, with Malacañang reiterating its firm stance on accountability and transparency.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), on Friday, April 17, emphasized that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to a “clean government,” stressing that any public official found liable must be held accountable.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said the COA ruling reinforces the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.
“Even before naman po, uulitin po natin, ang nais ng Pangulo talaga ay malinis ang gobyernong ito mula sa korupsiyon, at kung sino po iyong liable ay dapat lamang din po managot (Even before, we have always emphasized that what the President truly wants is for this government to be free from corruption, and whoever is found liable must also be held accountable),” Castro said in a briefing in Iloilo City.
Castro stressed that if the COA has stated that the Vice President’s appeal regarding the notice of disallowance amounting to P73 million must be denied, this contradicts the so-called “unmodified opinion,” which claimed that the funds were transparent, properly managed, and well-utilized.
She noted that this was contradicted by the COA’s recent decision denying the OVP's petition for review under Duterte’s leadership.
Castro added that audit findings must be respected and acted upon swiftly, not only by COA but also by oversight bodies such as the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), if warranted.
“Iyon naman din po ang gusto ng gobyerno – kung sino po iyong may sala, dapat iyong COA ay mabilis kumilos, hindi lamang po COA pati po AMLC ay dapat mabilis kumilos (That is also what the government wants – whoever is at fault, the COA should act quickly, not only the COA, but also the AMLC should act swiftly),” she added.
The COA has ordered the OVP to return the disallowed P73.28 million in confidential funds it spent in December 2022.
This development was revealed during the House Committee on Justice hearing on April 14, as the panel deliberated on probable cause for the two active impeachment complaints against Duterte.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/15/pakibalik-ang-pera-ovp-must-return-disallowed-p73m-coa-tells-house-panel 

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Sara Duterte Vice President Sara Duterte COA ruling 2026 PCO accountability Philippines OVP confidential funds disallowance COA P73M Duterte government transparency Philippines
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