LGU and GovernanceKawit Mayor Implicated in P13.9 Million Financial Anomaly, COA...

Kawit Mayor Implicated in P13.9 Million Financial Anomaly, COA Report Reveals

-

- Public Service Reminder -spot_img

MANILA – A Commission on Audit (COA) report has uncovered financial irregularities totaling P13.9 million in the municipality of Kawit, Cavite, implicating Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo in potential corruption and misuse of public funds during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The audit, detailed in a report obtained by Manila Media, shows that the Kawit municipal government issued single checks to cover multiple claims or Disbursement Vouchers (DVs) for the same payees, violating standard accounting procedures and making it difficult to track individual transactions.

In 41 instances throughout 2020, the municipality combined two to 37 distinct claims into single checks, totaling P13,929,888.49. This practice contravenes Section 111 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, which mandates that government agencies maintain detailed accounts to meet fiscal needs and provide accurate information to control agencies.

The report states: “The highest standard of honesty, objectivity and consistency shall be observed in the keeping of the accounts to safeguard against inaccurate or misleading information.”

Auditors found that Mayor Aguinaldo was the most frequent beneficiary of these consolidated payments. Out of the 41 instances, Aguinaldo received six separate checks combining multiple claims:

  1. Check No. 1042964 for P333,777.17, combining 15 DVs
  2. Check No. 1043131 for P269,311.42, combining 2 DVs
  3. Check No. 1043132 for P286,339.34, combining 25 DVs
  4. Check No. 1043590 for P152,843.13, combining 13 DVs
  5. Check No. 1043645 for P308,000.00, combining 7 DVs
  6. Check No. 1044058 for P180,643.13, combining 10 DVs

In total, Aguinaldo received P2,430,297.19 through these six checks, which combined 72 separate claims.

Photo shows Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo with his mother, Councilor Armie.

“The Municipal Accounting Office was able to provide the Audit Team with the List of Expenditures pertaining to these expenses but most of them did not have reference number or had only the Obligation Request Number as reference,” the report states.

The audit team encountered significant difficulties in locating the DVs due to the Municipal Treasurer’s practice of combining several DVs with the same payee into a single check and recording it as one transaction in the Cashbook.

Other notable beneficiaries of consolidated checks include:

  • Ernest Funeral Services: P1,898,500.00 (26 DVs combined)
  • 3PS Catering Services: P4,045,345.00 (5 DVs combined)
  • Servando’s Restaurant: P324,850.00 (16 DVs combined)
  • ECPAC Systems Corporation: Two checks totaling P89,300.00 (11 DVs combined)

The COA recommended that the Municipal Mayor to “refrain from consolidating multiple claims or DVs in one check regardless of whether or not the DVs pertained to the claims of one and the same payee to ensure a more effective and efficient tracing, monitoring and examination of individual DVs and supporting documents.”

The revelations in this COA report raise serious questions about the mismanagement of P13.9 million in public funds in Kawit municipality during a critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The practice of consolidating multiple claims into single checks, particularly those benefiting the mayor, may warrant further investigation by appropriate authorities.

As of press time, Mayor Aguinaldo has not responded to requests for comment on the audit findings.


Discover more from Cavite News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

cavite.news
cavite.newshttps://cavite.news
We, the people of Cavite, recognize that in order to achieve our goals and aspirations, we need to be empowered and well-informed of the news and events that affect us and our cities and towns. We need to have access to accurate, relevant, and timely information that will enable us to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest news

Father, 5-Year-Old Son Killed in Dasmariñas Hostage Standoff; Second Child Wounded

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — A 5-year-old child and his father died Monday after the man took his two children hostage...

Cavite Board Member Dela Cuesta Passes Away

DASMARIÑAS Mayor Jenny Barzaga expressed the city's condolences following the death of Board Member Jun Dela Cuesta. In a statement...

Ateneo de Manila to Open New Campus in Cavite by 2030 in GT Capital Partnership

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite — Ateneo de Manila University announced Monday that it will open a new campus in...

2 Drug Dealers Arrested in San Sebastian, Kawit Buy-Bust

KAWIT, Cavite — Police arrested two individuals in a buy-bust operation here Friday night on charges of selling and...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

LEGO Museum Opens in Amadeo, Cavite

AMADEO, Cavite – Brickseum, a new museum dedicated to LEGO brick creations, has opened to the public. Located along Tagaytay-Silang...

Warriors and Fighters from Cavite in the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898)

The Philippine Revolution, particularly in Cavite, saw the rise of the Katipunan (KKK) chapters Magdalo and Magdiwang, leading to...

Must read

New Road in Cavite Aims to Ease Congestion, Spur Development

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite— A new spur road is under construction...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you