COA flags PCOO’s failure to list media equipment donated by China

The Commission on Audit (COA) called out the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for not including in its books of accounts at least 41 pieces of media equipment from China.

The equipment, assessed to be worth P4.33 million, were donated in 2019 by the Chinese embassy in the Philippines.

State auditors tried to trace the equipment based on an article published by the Philippine News Agency, which states that the PCOO’s Office of the Secretary received “state of the art” equipment in March 2019. 

In a report released on September 8, COA said the equipment were not recorded in the PCOO’s books of accounts and not inspected by the Property and Supply Section (PSS).

The donated equipment also did not have a property, plant, and equipment (PPE) card.

COA was told by the PSS that “the inventory team was advised not to include certain properties because they were donated properties and not PCOO properties.”

The commission was only able to obtain a copy of the Deed of Donation and Acceptance in June after asking for a copy from the PCOO.

“The Deed of Donation and Acceptance stated that no part of said offer constitutes a gift to an individual government official,” COA said. 

“Thus management is reminded that donated assets become government property upon their acceptance, hence, accountability must be appropriately established,” it added.

COA said the PCOO failed to comply with provisions of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines which lays out the proper safekeeping and handling of state properties.

The PCOO, acting on COA’s recommendations, said the Accounting Division already recorded the donations while the Deed of Donation and Acceptance has been sent to the PSS. – Rappler.com