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COA Fraud Audit Office obtains docs on Bulacan flood control projects
The Commission on Audit (COA) Fraud Audit Office on Tuesday retrieved the first batch of key documents needed for the investigation into flood control projects in Bulacan province.
According to the Fraud Audit Office (FAO), the documents were immediately brought to the COA central office in Quezon City for an in-depth probe.
"The retrieval of these critical documents marks a pivotal step, enabling COA to proceed with its meticulous examination of project existence, quality, cost reasonableness, and procurement processes in Bulacan," the FAO said in a press release.
To recall, the COA directed a fraud audit of the flood control projects in Bulacan, which was hit by the recent floods.
In a memorandum ordered by COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba, all supervising auditors and audit team leaders of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Offices in Central Luzon were mandated to submit all relevant documents necessary for the fraud audit.
The primary purpose of the special audit is to identify and substantiate instances of fraud, waste, and mismanagement, the FAO said, noting that this would also ensure robust accountability and foster the development of resilient and effective public infrastructure.
Last week, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. sought an explanation from contractor St. Timothy Construction Corp. regarding its flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan. The area was recently hit by floods, with residents of several barangays forced to wade through flood waters for at least two weeks.
The FAO is specifically directed to handle complex fraud cases, particularly those involving amounts of P50 million or more.
To ensure integrity and impartiality, the special audit teams tapped in the investigation will not include resident auditors of DPWH, in adherence to COA Resolution 2023-006, which aims to prevent conflicts of interest and protect auditors. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
