THE Commission on Audit has ordered employees, contractual workers and service contractors of the Professional Regulation Commission to return over P43.821 million in fringe benefits they received in 2013 and 2014.
In a recent audit report, the Commission said the release of the financial benefits was unauthorized and violated Republic Act 6758, or the Salary Standardization Law.
“We recommend that management require the payees/claimants to refund the amount received as fringe benefits amounting to P43,821,479.60,” the recommendation read. “Thereafter, management should refrain from giving fringe benefits without any authority issued.”
The fringe benefits also violated a CoA circular issued concerning RA 6758, the agency said.
“The fringe benefits that the PRC granted to its officials and employees, contractual and service contractors were not included in the enumerated allowances and benefits covered by RA 6758 and CoA Circular No. 2013-03,” it noted.
The CoA report said that the financial benefits given to PRC personnel were not specified since they were merely declared collectively as “fringe benefits.”
A notice of disallowance was also issued to PRC for the return of the money.
The report showed that funds used for the payment of the benefits were derived from the savings accumulated from general services and honoraria of the agency.
PRC said its legal department is already preparing to appeal CoA’s notice of disallowance.