The Commission on Audit has flagged the Sandiganbayan for 10 idle and defective sport utility vehicles bought for P8.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2017.
“Motor vehicles with an aggregate acquisition cost of P8,474,973,08 have remained idle since these were returned/surrendered to the Property and Supply Section, thus continuously occupying significant space in the Court’s premises exposing them to deterioration, and likewise reducing its saleable value,” an audit report read.
Out of Sandiganbayan’s 37 vehicles, six were no longer in use, two were being used by newly appointed justices and two others replaced the older service vehicles.
“Underutilization of these vehicles may indicate excessive units and may not justify the purchase of new ones,” CoA said.
Under Section 79 of the Government Auditing Code, any unserviceable government property should either be destroyed or sold at public auction to the highest bidder depending on its assessed value.
In addition, the state auditors have called the attention of the anti-graft court for the delayed renovation of the Sandiganbayan Centennial Building along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
Due to lack of approval from the Supreme Court, the Sandiganbayan returned P72 million to the National Treasury, CoA said, adding the money was supposed to go to the reconfiguration of the Sixth and Seventh Division offices in the building’s fifth floor.