'Erroneous' barangay transactions salary, honorarium of officials withheld

CEBU, Philippines - The salaries and honorarium of captains and treasurers from 11 barangays in the city have been withheld owing to findings of the Commission on Audit that the barangays entered into transactions amounting close to P30 million without disbursement vouchers and other support documents.

“Amo nang gipa-withhold ang ilang honorarium karong buwana,” said Agnes Tabares, head of the financial control division of the city accounting office. She said it is now up to city accountant Marietta Gumia whether or not to give the barangays an additional month to comply with the requirements.

The 11 barangays include Calamba, Duljo Fatima, Guba, Kamputhaw, Kasambagan, Pahina Central, Pamutan, Pasil, Poblacion Pardo, Punta Prinsesa, Sapangdaku, Suba, and Tabunan.

City auditor Eva Cabrera told The Freeman that it would be impossible for them to arrive at erroneous findings because the barangays themselves failed to provide copies of documents like a bank statement or documents from the government depository bank.

“We tried to ask (for) their vouchers kay we wanted to conduct a post-audit but only to find out that wala gyud sila,” Cabrera said.

The barangays that failed to submit the required documents are facing penalty. They have at least six months to file a motion for reconsideration upon receipt of the notice of disallowance that COA is yet to issue to those concerned. The notice of disallowance will be served along with the Annual Audit Report of the barangays.

If the barangay fails to comply with the requirements, COA will disallow all barangay transactions and order the barangay to refund all disbursements made that were not supported with pertinent documents. Failure of the barangays to file a motion for reconsideration will make the disallowance final and executory.

The disbursements in question were allegedly made between 2008 and 2009. – (FREEMAN)