THE Commission on Audit has denied the petition for review filed by former ranking officials of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) that sought the lifting of four notices of disallowance (NDs) concerning fund releases totaling P160.33 million.
In a three-page decision, the COA Commission Proper sustained two 2015 decisions issued by its Corporate Government Sector (CGS)-Cluster 3 that affirmed the validity of the four NDs issued against the irregular payment of cash perks against the executives and employees in 2010.
Based on the breakdown provided by auditors, the disallowed sum consist of P88.51 million paid as cost of living allowances and amelioration allowances; and P71.82 million paid as grocery allowances and year-end financial assistance.
In all instances, the COA said the payment of extra compensation had no legal basis since the allowances were already included in the salaries and benefits of all agency officials and employees.
It said the petition for review failed to raise anything new but merely reiterated arguments that have already been discussed and overruled.
“A perusal of the Petition for Review shows that the issues and arguments presented are only reiterations, if not a rehash, of those stated in the appeal memorandum. These issues were already judiciously discussed and correctly passed upon by the CD. There being no new matters to discuss, this Commission finds no reason to disturb the same,” the COA said.
COA Chair Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc signed the decision released last week.
Copies of the ruling were furnished to former acting deputy administrators Edison Cuenca, Redentor Talavera, Ma. Elena Te, and Nestor Evangelista; LWUA area manager (Bicol-Visayas water districts) Enrique Gita; industrial relations development head Carmen Amores; department manager Rommel Falcon; and policy and program division manager Oscar Jusi.
In addition, the COA said the petition cannot be given due course for having been filed way beyond the 180 days allowed for the submission of appeals.
The petition for review was filed only on February 19, 2016, a total of 469 days from the receipt of the notices of disallowance. Auditors noted that the petitioners did not present a valid reason for the delay.
