WATCH: P125-Million Cash Withdrawals Highly Irregular – Mendoza
#Storycon | Former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza said the series of four ?125-million cash withdrawals presented during the impeachment proceedings was highly irregular.
Former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza told “Storycon” on One News on Wednesday, Aug. 5, the cash release of the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President is not only “highly unusual” but “highly irregular.”
“During my time, payments must be made through checks if in excess of P250,000 and above,” she said.
Mendoza noted the manager of the bank where the cash was withdrawn also has shortcomings, saying the transaction should have immediately been flagged due to the movements of a very large amount.
Mendoza said failure to liquidate or restitute confidential funds upon demand constitutes prima facie evidence under COA rules that the funds may have been used for personal purposes.
She added a notice of disallowance directing the refund of disallowed amounts is immediately executory unless restrained by a court-issued temporary restraining order.
Mendoza also said all public funds, regardless of whether they are confidential or intelligence funds, must comply with government accountability mechanisms.
She stressed that once public money is released, it must be properly documented, transparent, and subject to audit.
Mendoza also explained that asking auditors to issue an audit query instead of an audit observation memorandum could be seen as crossing the line on the COA’s independence.
Mendoza also said she never encountered any agency requesting an audit query in place of an AOM during her more than two decades as an auditor.
