Philforest made fund transfers to 3 NGOs – COA

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Forest Corporation (Philforest) made unaccounted fund transfers worth P443.29 million to different non-governmental corporations, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

In a report released on Wednesday, January 14, the agency said it found no subsidiary ledger (SL) under the “due to NGOs” of Philforest since it was dissolved in 2013 due to its involvement in the pork barrel scam.

“In the absence of SLs for this account, it would be difficult to determine what NGOs still have in outstanding accounts and how much are their remaining accountabilities,” COA said.

Also missing are supporting documents that should have been submitted by the organization – journal entry vouchers, financial reports or schedules, and reports of checks issued.

Government auditors also found that P15 million was funneled to 3 NGOs even if they had unliquidated fund transfers worth P34.273 million in 2011 and 2012.

The funds reportedly came from the PDAF allocations of 8 lawmakers:

• Laguna Representative Ma. Evita R. Arago
• APEC partylist representative Ponciano Payuyo 
• Cagayan de Oro City Representative Jose Benjamin Benaldo
• AGAP partylist Representative Nicanor M. Briones 
• 1-CARE partylist representatives Salvador Cabaluna and Michael Angelo Rivera
• Cebu Representative Ramon Durano
• Masbate Representative Antonio Kho

Recipient NGOs were the Kapuso’t Kapamilya Foundation Inc (KKFI), Maharlikang Lipi Foundation Inc (MLFI), and the Kalipunan ng mga Samahan ng Mamamayan Inc (KASAMA).

Based on the COA special audit report on the PDAF, KKFI cornered P107.5 million from the pork barrel of 7 congressmen supposedly for livelihood technology kits, seedlings, and farm implements.

COA said it is now looking at the possible involvement of former Philforest officials, particularly those who were responsible for preparing the books of accounts and keeping track of reports and related records. – Rappler.com