SILANG, Cavite — The Commission on Audit (COA) has granted the appeal of former Silang Mayor Kevin A. Anarna, overturning a P1.38 billion disallowance issued due to unsubmitted disbursement vouchers (DVs) for 2023.

In a Notice of Settlement of Suspension/Disallowance/Charge dated March 3, COA officially lifted Notice of Disallowance No. 24-001-SILANG-RO4A-CAVITE, which initially flagged the local government unit (LGU) for failing to submit DVs and supporting documents related to its transactions.

Anarna welcomed the decision, calling the allegations against him “politically motivated” and designed to “fuel misinformation and justify his removal from office.”

“This decision proves that I was right all along,” Anarna said in a statement. “I have always been honest in my dealings in the LGU, and this case was nothing more than an attempt to silence me because I fought for the people’s interest against the powerful few in Silang. Now, the truth has prevailed, and justice has been served.”

In April 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman placed Anarna under preventive suspension for six months following a graft complaint related to alleged irregularities in the procurement of materials for the town fiesta. By October 2024, the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from office.

Anarna is seeking re-election in the May 2025 polls against his former vice mayor and now incumbent Silang Mayor Ted Carranza.

Understanding COA Disallowance

A COA disallowance occurs when the audit commission flags a government expenditure as unauthorized, irregular, unnecessary, excessive, or unsupported by proper documentation.

The agency or officials responsible for the disbursement are then required to justify the spending or return the funds.

If an appeal is granted, the disallowance is lifted, as in Anarna’s case.