Is COA being harsh on Congress but kind on SC?

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Heidi Mendoza. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines鈥擟ommission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza on Tuesday squared off with Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., who accused the commission of having 鈥渄ouble standards鈥� when it conducted a special audit on Congress鈥� Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) and not over the Judiciary Development Funds (JDF).

During Tuesday鈥檚 hearing of the House鈥檚 justice committee over the bills amending and abolishing the JDF, Mendoza reacted to committee Chairman Tupas鈥� statement that the COA seems to have 鈥渄ouble standards.鈥�

鈥淛ust a reaction to Tupas. Kung paano ina-audit ang PDAF, ganun din inaaudit ang JDF,鈥� Mendoza said.

Tupas then asked Mendoza if she thinks COA should also conduct a special audit on JDF as it had done on the PDAF.

The PDAF special audit was used as a basis for the filing of plunder and graft complaints involving lawmakers over alleged PDAF anomalies under the scheme of Janet Lim-Napoles.

The SC scrapped the PDAF as unconstitutional at the height of the scandal.

鈥淛ust answer yes or no. Para mas madali,鈥� an irate Tupas said.

Mendoza, who laughed awkwardly when asked, said: 鈥淭here is no need for special audit.鈥�

She said a special audit requires a 鈥渞isk-based audit approach.鈥�

She added they expanded the audit to include JDF but they do not conduct a special audit on JDF alone.

Tupas then told Mendoza: 鈥淵ou are just reiterating the statement that you have double standards.鈥�

The JDF, long seen as the court鈥檚 pork barrel funds, is sourced from the funds collected by courts nationwide from docket and other court fees.

Presidential Decree 1949, dated July 18, 1984, created the JDF 鈥渋n order to preserve and enhance the independence of the judiciary at all times and safeguard the integrity of its members,鈥� being the lone apolitical branch of government.

Under PD 1949, 80-percent of the JDF shall be used to augment the allowances of justices, judges, and court personnel; the remaining 20-percent for office equipment and facilities.

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