MANILA – Malacañang stated on Tuesday that the Commission on Audit (COA) can conduct a “special” audit of the Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) funds.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte authorized the COA to conduct an audit of PRC, a non-government organization (NGO).
Roque stated in an online press briefing that Duterte has basis to ask COA to audit funds received by the PRC.
PRC can be audited, according to Roque, citing Section 4.8 of COA Circular No. 93-003, if the government demands a “special audit” of NGOs like PRC “on a case-by-case basis”.
“May basehan ba ang sinasabi ng Presidente na humingi sa COA ng special audit para sa PRC? Meron po (Does the President have a basis to ask COA to conduct a special audit of PRC? He has),” Roque said.
Roque stated that the COA has the authority to investigate all accounts pertaining to the expenditure or usage of funds by NGOs “getting subsidy or equity, directly or indirectly, from or via the government” on a post-audit basis under Article 9 of the 1987 Constitution.
“May hurisdiksyon ba ho ang Commission on Audit sa Philippine Red Cross? Ang sagot, meron ho (Does the COA have jurisdiction over Philippine Red Cross? The answer is it has),” he said.
According to Roque the COA might look into the PRC’s memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Metro Manila mayors for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing, as well as its MOA with PhilHealth for an advance payment of PHP100 million for testing services.
“Malinaw kasi ho na nakalagay sa PRC Charter na hindi ito maaaring kumita habang ginagampanan nito ang kaniyang mandato (The PRC Charter clearly states that it cannot earn money while it is fulfilling its mandate),” he said.
Roque added that the advance payment clause under the MOA contradicts the PRC Charter and Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which specifies that in the delivery of goods and services, only reimbursement, not advance payment, is permitted.
Roque also questioned the PRC’s decision to charge PHP3,500 per Covid-19 test, even if the testing machines are donated.
He claims that Covid-19 is more expensive than the PHP2,077 that PRC should have charged for each test because the equipment are donated.
“Kaya kinakailangan nating malaman, lahat ba ng mga makina ay donated, ilan ang donated, at magkano ang siningil. Iyan po ang dapat ma-cover ng audit (That’s why we need to know if all the machines were donated, how many were donated, and how much was the charge. That’s what the audit should cover),” Roque said.
PRC is recognized as an “independent, autonomous, nongovernment organization auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the Humanitarian Field” under RA 10072, which was signed in April 2010.
