COA Flags Kawit Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo Over P21-M Unsubstantiated Claims

KAWIT, Cavite — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the municipal government of Kawit under Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo for recording P21.1 million in accounts payable without sufficient proof of delivery for goods and services, raising serious concerns over possible misuse of public funds.

According to the 2021 audit report, the municipality recorded P21,137,987.30 as liabilities for various projects and purchases, but failed to present adequate documentation such as delivery receipts, inspection reports, or acknowledgment forms to validate the expenses.

The COA noted that the claims were not supported by proof of actual deliveries or accomplishments, in violation of Section 4 of PD No. 1445 and other government accounting regulations.

The questionable entries overstated both the accounts payable and the related asset and expense accounts, auditors said.

Among the items flagged were over P5.6 million for welfare goods, P4.5 million for general services, and more than P5.2 million for buildings and structures. Other entries included instructional materials, machinery and equipment, and transportation purchases—all lacking proper substantiation.

COA also criticized the municipality for attaching documents like delivery receipts and statements of work that were incomplete or missing critical dates and verification details, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the transactions.

These findings suggest weak internal controls and raise red flags about possible fictitious or irregular transactions under Mayor Aguinaldo’s administration.

The COA report urges the local government to comply with documentation standards and to ensure that future claims are backed by sufficient and verifiable evidence.

Mayor Aguinaldo’s office has not issued an official response as of press time.