Two lawmakers on Monday downplayed the Commission on Audit’s (COA) “unmodified opinion” rating given to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), saying it does not erase concerns over the use of public funds.
Manila Third District Representative Joel Chua said in a press briefing that the audit rating does not necessarily mean there were no issues in spending. He pointed out that if there were no problems, COA would not have issued a notice of disallowance.
Chua said this strengthens the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and stressed the need for a clear explanation regarding the disbursement of ₱125 million within just 11 days.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon echoed the sentiment, saying the “unmodified opinion” only certifies that the financial statements were prepared according to proper reporting standards. He clarified that the rating doesn’t mean all expenses were proper or justified.
Ridon also pointed out that COA still directed the OVP to return ₱73 million based on the issued notice of disallowance.
One member of the prosecution team also said the audit rating will not be enough to defend Duterte during the impeachment trial.
The controversy centers on how the OVP spent ₱125 million in confidential funds in less than two weeks—a key issue raised in the impeachment complaint.
