UNLESS supported with complete documentation, no claim against government funds can be granted.
The Commission on Audit reminded the Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc. (Philtoa) of this rule, denying its P2.5 million claim for payment of financial sponsorship against the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).
Based on its petition filed in 2020, the Philtoa said it had secured a commitment of financial sponsorship from TPB for the 2018 Philippine Travel Mart but the latter failed to release the amount despite a demand letter sent to it on June 20, 2019.
The Travel Mart is an annual travel exhibition for the promotion of domestic and inbound tourism jointly held by stakeholders like tour operators in cooperation with government agencies like the Department of Tourism and the TPB.
Philtoa said it communicated with several TPB personnel through electronic mail exchanges resulting in an engagement letter dated August 24, 2018 sent to TPB Officer-in-charge Arnold Gonzales setting out the respective rights and obligations of the parties.
During the Travel Mart, the claimant said both TPB and DOT actively participated as co-presenters but when TPB was asked to fulfill its obligations, it said payment could not be released due to non-compliance with certain procedures. It instead advised the Travel Mart organizers to file a petition for a money claim.
But in its answer to the petition before the COA, the TPB denied the existence of a valid contract with Philtoa specifically since there was no Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the parties.
COA Chair Gamaliel Cordoba and Commissioners Roland Café Pondoc and Mario Lipana ruled that the petition should be denied since the engagement letter was insufficient to establish the existence of an enforceable obligation.
“PHILTOA failed to substantiate the claim with the necessary documentation for the determination of the reasonable value of the transaction. Money claims against government funds shall be supported with complete documentation,” the Commission said.
Noting the absence of any breakdown of expenses incurred by the claimant, the COA said the claim was unsubstantiated.
However, if Philtoa can come up with proof to ascertain the detailed amount of its claim, the COA said it can refile the claim against TPB.
