Lacson backs boosting COA powers to include probing and filing of cases

By Rose de la Cruz

While the Commission on Audit is among the agencies with the highest credibility in its task as anti corruption watchdog, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson wants COA’s powers boosted to include investigation and filing of cases, which is currently out of its purview.

Lacson called for the strengthening of the Commission on Audit (COA) by empowering it to initiate investigations and file cases against individuals involved in corruption.

In a weekend radio interview, Lacson said that COA’s current function is limited to being recommendatory, making its findings useless when the appropriate agency does not act on them, said an article in Bilyonaryo.com.

Currently, he explained COA’s function is limited to submitting its findings and recommendations to the agencies concerned but if the agency refuses to act on these recommendations, then its findings are meaningless. It would be better to have a law strengthening COA’s powers so that it can initiate and file appropriate cases against the agency.

Lacson cited an instance in which the COA issued notices of suspension and disallowance to the Department of Agriculture in 2023, amounting to P7.3 billion for irregular monetization of leave credits, among other issues.

He noted that if the agency to which the COA referred its findings does not take action, the case is as good as dead.

(Paano kung) walang gana ang napagpasahan ng datos, at hindi na mag-initiate? Unlike kung COA na bigyan mo ng power na mag-file ng kaso sa DOJ o sa Ombudsman, passion nila yan. At pinaghirapan nila yan, alam nila. Absorb na absorb nila kung ano ang kanilang inimbestigahan,” he explained.

Lacson said this approach will improve accountability in the use of public funds.