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The Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Presidential Communications Operations Office for its failure to file the necessary charges against its own officials for supposed involvement in the procurement irregularities in connection with the country’s hosting of the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
In a 2018 audit report, the State Auditors called the PCOO’s inaction as “not implemented.”
In a 2017 audit, CoA flagged PCOO’s information technology equipment worth P4.04 million, saying it was much expensive than the selling price by P946,872, and that the purchase orders and payments of P27.5 million and P7.26 million for various goods/services and rental of passenger vans, respectively, were split.
In its recommendation, the agency told PCOO to explain the equipment rental and advised it to file cases against those behind the violation of the procurement law for allegedly giving favored treatment to a supplier.
To date, the commission is still awaiting an update from PCOO after Secretary Martin Andanar issued two memoranda directing Undersecretary Marvin Gatpayat to conduct a probe.
“As of to date, management is yet to comment on the following recommendations,” its report read.
PCOO said they were left with no option but to rent the IT equipment due to lack of funds.
“No budget was allotted for capital outlay. Without realignment, the PCOO cannot purchase any equipment; thus, was compelled to lease equipment to address specific IT-related requirements for ASEAN events,” its reply stated.