GSIS welcomes audit of books

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) denied that it is resisting calls for an audit of its books by the World Bank.

In a statement, GSIS president and general manager Winston F. Garcia emphasized that the GSIS does not oppose nor resist any inquiry, investigation or audit to be conducted by any legitimate agency or private organization such as the World Bank.

"The books of the GSIS are open for anyone’s scrutiny. Our financial statements have been fully audited by the Commission on Audit (COA) and for the years 2001 and 2002, these statements have been given clean opinions by the Commission," Garcia added.

"This may again be another intentional misinformation being peddled by unscrupulous sources out to destroy the credibility of the present GSIS administration. It is obvious that persons interested in taking over my job will resort to outright lies and fabrications to attain their selfish and pecuniary interests," Garcia said.

Garcia also debunked claims that GSIS is hesitant to open its books for audit as in fact GSIS has furnished President Arroyo, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance and the Office of the Executive Secretary, with copies of the audited GSIS statements.

"The GSIS welcomes any legitimate fact finding inquiry or investigation for any valid objective or purpose. We assure all that the GSIS will cooperate with any group for the purpose of improving the social insurance and social security program of government for the benefit, specifically, of all civil servants and in whole for the improvement of the entire social security set up in the country," Garcia assured.