COA uncovers multi-million mess left behind by ex-Calinog mayor

By Florence F. Hibionada

Over P1.5 million in cash shortage. Over P2.5 million in illegal cash gift. More than half a million in unliquidated cash advances. Over 3.3 million in irregular and illegal disbursements for payment of gasoline expenses.

Such highlighted the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the latest annual audit made at the operations and dealings of the Calinog Municipal Government.

With former town Mayor Salvador Divinagracia serving as the then local chief executive, State Auditors summed up its discoveries that placed the town’s financial coffers in mis-use and abuse.

The over P1.5 million in cash shortage was primarily blamed on a trusted municipal official, Grace Casio with COA calling the attention of Divinagracia as head of agency.

Casio as per COA validation tampered numerous Official Receipts and understated the town’s collections. Documents established unremitted cash collections of over P95,000 while over P1.4 million was blamed on the tampered ORs. COA in concluding its audit cited how responsibility “rests directly with the head of agency.”

The Commission in backing up its findings further wrote that management and utilization of government resources alongside the safeguard against loss or wastage, illegal or improper disposition is the primary responsibility of said agency head.

Meantime full refund has been ordered on over P2.5 million illegal cash gift granted under Divinagracia’s stint. COA took note of several blatant violations while it stated that “municipal officials and employees who received the extra gift for CY 2008 should be required to immediately refund the same.”

Similar action on over half a million in unliquidated cash advances with a recommendation for current Mayor Alex Centena to “cause or order the suspension of payment of their salaries until they have complied with the requirements.”

Meantime, over P3.3 million in disbursements that went to the payment of supposed fuel consumption here posed major irregularities and illegalities.

As such, COA disclosed at least eight violations citing how the “lapses indicate the Municipality’s weak control over its fuel consumption and vehicle utilization.”

“Proper accounting for gasoline and lubricants purchased and used were not diligently observed. Thus, the reasonableness of the actual gasoline consumed by the Municipality in CY 2008 totaling P3,312,886.47 could not be established,” excerpts of the latest COA audit went.

To note, Divinagracia’s assumption into post was laden with controversies following the eventual order for him to vacate.

His victory was questioned in Court and the Commission on Elections that ruled against his favor. Mayor Alex Centena was declared the rightful winner and “inherited” the multi-million messy findings of the COA.

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Crime does not pay with the long arm of the law.