While the Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the accuracy of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) financial statements through an unmodified opinion, it has also given the agency 60 days to address flagged operational lapses related to program implementation and internal controls.
The COA’s latest audit report on the OVP for fiscal year 2024 highlights administrative concerns—echoes of similar issues from the previous year—yet ultimately concludes that the office’s financial disclosures are in proper order.
“This is part of a continuous process of improvement,” OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said on Wednesday. “We acknowledge the observations and are already working on refining our procedures and documentation.”
Issues revisited, programs under scrutiny
Among the areas flagged by auditors were lapses in program implementation, notably for “Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day,” a livelihood initiative that was also criticized in 2023 for underutilizing its budget. Despite a P150 million allocation that year, only P600,000 was disbursed.
In 2024, the COA continued to express concern about the program’s lack of detailed operational guidelines, suggesting that the OVP’s capacity to execute grassroots initiatives still needs reinforcing.
Also under review is the OVP’s “PagbaBAGo Campaign,” aimed at distributing school supplies to underserved communities. Auditors flagged inadequate procedures in inventory tracking and beneficiary validation—issues that could compromise efficiency and transparency if left unresolved.
However, Castelo was quick to clarify that these shortcomings are not uncommon in newly scaled programs and that internal reforms are underway. “Our manuals of operations are being updated to meet compliance standards and optimize program rollout,” she added.
Financial reporting cleared — with caveats
Despite these operational flaws, COA issued an unmodified opinion on the OVP’s financial statements. This means that the agency’s financial documents were deemed accurate and compliant with applicable reporting standards.
The COA, however, reminded the public not to misinterpret the audit opinion as a stamp of overall performance. “An unmodified opinion only confirms that financial reports are in order. It does not assess whether an agency followed procurement laws or applied public funds efficiently,” the commission clarified in a past statement.
In short, while the numbers add up, the bigger question of whether public funds are being used wisely remains subject to future compliance and performance audits, which have yet to be released for the OVP’s 2024 operations.
Political undertones, budget under fire
The OVP’s 2024 budget continues to generate debate, particularly regarding a reported P16 million spent on leasing “safe houses,” and discrepancies found in the names of project beneficiaries. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have intensified their scrutiny, prompting Vice President Sara Duterte to claim that political motives are driving the investigations.
Duterte has repeatedly dismissed the probes as part of a broader campaign to derail her potential candidacy in the 2028 presidential elections.
Still, Castelo emphasized that the audit process is being taken seriously within the agency. “We welcome the feedback. Corrections are being made. What matters is that we continue to uphold transparency and work within the rule of law,” she said.
Looking ahead
As the COA’s 60-day window ticks down, the spotlight remains on the OVP—not just for its financial stewardship, but for how effectively it delivers on its promises to the public. While an unmodified audit opinion offers a clean bill of financial health, the deeper examination of efficiency, transparency, and impact is still unfolding.
With heightened political pressure and a nation watching closely, the OVP’s ability to respond with meaningful reform may prove as important as any audit finding.