A group of lawmakers is urging the Commission on Audit (COA) to disclose how the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) utilized their confidential funds in 2022 and 2023. During a budget briefing, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro requested the Committee on Appropriations to issue a subpoena duces tecum to COA, asking for any Audit Observation Memoranda related to the use of these funds.
Several lawmakers, including Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, supported Castro’s motion. However, Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Violago and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo suggested addressing the motion after all budget briefings are completed.
COA Chair Gamaliel Cordoba confirmed that the OVP and DepEd had already submitted their audit reports but refrained from publicly disclosing the findings due to the sensitive nature of the funds. The agency awaits further action from the committee on the request for a subpoena.