The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured the public that decisive measures are being taken regarding the unliquidated cash advances and unauthorized bank accounts flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA), as reported by RH Edniel Parrosa.
The COA reported that AFP had unliquidated cash advances amounting to P201.86 million as of the end of 2024 and unauthorized maintenance of six bank accounts with a total balance of P72.86 million.
“We acknowledge the Commission on Audit’s findings on P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances and P72.86 million in unauthorized bank accounts, and view these as part of a constructive process that strengthens governance and financial discipline,” the statement reads.
The AFP said that through the AFP Accounting Center and in coordination with the AFP Finance Center, has implemented measures including the "withholding the salaries of accountable officers while administrative and legal remedies are pursued, as well as efforts to track retired officials to recover public funds."
"Efforts are also underway to track accountable officers who are no longer in the service and to recover public funds in full compliance with COA directives," said. AFP.
Meanwhile, on unauthorized bank accounts, the AFP added that "it taken decisive steps to regularize and close the accounts cited in the audit."
The agency stated that The Medical Center has reportedly closed the bank accounts for the PCSO Endowment Fund, as cited in the COA audit, to ensure full compliance with government financial policies. The Presidential Security Command has completed the closure of its two accounts, and the Eastern Mindanao Command has undertaken corrective actions to ensure full compliance with government financial policies.
“Beyond addressing these findings, the AFP continues to strengthen its financial systems, internal controls, and accountability mechanisms to prevent recurrence and sustain reforms, while ensuring uninterrupted support to the welfare and well-being of its personnel,” the statement read.
“Good governance remains central to the AFP’s mandate. We remain steadfast in cooperating with oversight bodies and in continuously improving our practices in the best interest of our soldiers and the Filipino people,” it added.
