House Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V on Monday, August 31, described the reported meeting between Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp and the Commission on Audit (COA) as “hilot, remedyo, saka konting sindak,” amid questions surrounding the audit of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds.
During a House press conference, Ortega was asked about a reported meeting involving Duterte, Atty. Michael Poa, and Roderick Wamil, the COA state auditor, concerning the audit observations on the OVP’s use of confidential funds.
According to the information raised during the press conference, Duterte’s camp allegedly requested that the findings be issued as an Audit Query Memorandum (AQM) instead of an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM), which would have been a less serious audit document.
Ortega characterized the reported move as an attempt to address or influence how the audit findings would be handled.
“Tingin ko, ano ’yon? Hilot, remedyo, saka konting sindak yung pagpunta nila sa meeting na yan. It's very simple. Hilot, remedyo, saka konting sindak,” Ortega said.
He added that the reported request was essentially for the COA to issue an audit query rather than an audit observation memorandum.
Meanwhile, Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said Poa could have accountability in connection with the matter, particularly if he was involved in the reported meeting.
“Ibig sabihin may pananagutan siya,” Abante said, referring to Poa’s reported participation.
Abante further argued that Poa should disclose what he knows about the matter, particularly in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the vice president.
“Hindi pwede yung naghugas-kamay. May pananagutan siya,” Abante said.
He also suggested that Poa distancing himself from the matter could affect his testimony before the Senate impeachment court.
Abante additionally claimed that the fact that Duterte’s camp went to COA indicated that they were concerned about the audit, saying those involved would naturally be worried if their spending was being scrutinized.
The statements came as the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues to examine allegations involving the use of confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education during her tenure as Education Secretary.
The reported COA meeting and the circumstances surrounding the audit findings remain part of the issues being raised by the House prosecution panel in connection with the impeachment case.
