VP Sara Duterte/ PHOTO FROM HER OFFICE
Vice President Sara Duterte maintained that the Commission on Audit (COA) found no indication of overpriced closed-circuit television (CCTV) units in its review of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2024 financial report.
“Wala pong findings na ganun ang Commission on Audit. Kung nakita ninyo sa statement ng Office of the Vice President, pinublish na yung report ng Commission on Audit at wala silang findings of any wrongdoing sa Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said in an ambush interview in The Hague on December 5.
According to COA’s financial statement notes, the OVP acquired seven CCTV system units in 2024 totaling P1.48 million, or approximately P212,000 per unit. The OVP earlier said these systems were deployed to satellite and extension offices, Libreng Sakay buses, and other areas identified as security priorities, adding that the installations were “part of safeguarding of assets as required by COA.”
The OVP also stressed that “All went through the proper modes of procurement, and there were no COA findings.”
Duterte highlighted that COA granted her office an unqualified opinion, noting that the recognition reflects the work of the OVP’s staff. “In fact, meron silang binigay na unqualified opinion doon sa opisina ng Office of the Vice President. At kailangan ko pasalamatan doon yung mga kasamahan ko sa Office of the Vice President kasi sila talaga yung — ako lang yung mukha ng opisina pero lahat ng paperwork, lahat ng trabaho sa mga utos ko, lahat ng legwork, trabaho yan ng mga personnel ng Office of the Vice President,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation for Filipinos who continue to support the OVP. “At kahit man, kahit man na bumaba o tumaas yan, na pabago-bago ang numbers, rest assured that the Office of the Vice President will continue to faithfully serve the Filipino people,” she added.
COA describes an unmodified or unqualified opinion as an indication that an agency’s financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with applicable reporting standards. However, the audit body clarified that such an opinion does not automatically imply the absence of errors or misstatements, nor does it confirm full compliance with all government rules or ensure that all expenditures were efficient or economical.