THE Commission on Audit has cleared former Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. and disbursing officer Anna Marie Miranda from liability regarding the disallowed payment of P8.84 million cash benefits to contractual personnel in 2013.
However, the COA Commission Proper affirmed the liability of former vice mayor Edward Bartolome who joined Abalos and Miranda in filing the motion for reconsideration in 2018.
Based on records, auditors issued notices of disallowance in 2014 against the grant of personnel economic relief allowance, bonuses, and cash gift to the city’s contractual hires in 2013.
The disallowance was anchored on Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 40, s 1998 which held that job order personnel are not entitled to benefits extended to regular government employees.
“Records show that the processing, approval, and payment of the disallowed benefits were all performed by other city officials without Mayor Abalos’ intervention and participation.
This Commission holds that, not having participated in the disbursement of funds, there is no cogent reason to hold Mayor Abalos liable,” the commission said.
Likewise, Miranda was cleared since the processing and approval of the cash bonuses and allowances were beyond her authority. Her only participation was limited to receiving the cash advance and distribution of sums to service contractual personnel.
However, in Bartolome’s appeal, the COA held that he relied on a rehash of arguments that were already considered and overruled in the assailed decision.
