Kidapawan disbursing officer disappears with over P6 M

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) has called for the filing of criminal, civil and administrative charges against a former disbursing officer of Kidapawan City in Cotabato who disappeared with more than P6 million in public funds last year.

State auditors, in a report released on Monday, did not identify the disbursing officer but recommended his indictment hopefully to recover the amount he stole from government coffers.

Records show that the money was intended for the payroll, honoraria, and clothing allowances of “various personnel, job order workers, teachers, barangay tanod, senior citizens, flash flood victims, etc.” of Kidapawan City from Jan. 3, 2012 to July 20, 2012. 

An examination of the city’s financial records reveals that the accountable officer incurred a total cash shortage of P6,097,533.22.

In response to the COA findings, the Kidapawan City treasurer has informed the audit team that the disbursing officer has been charged with malversation of public funds and that the court has issued an arrest warrant. 

The COA audit team said administrative and civil cases should also be filed against the missing disbursing officer.