COA questions Talisay’s Consultancy Fees Spending

The Commission on Audit (COA) 7 questioned Talisay City’s alleged irregular disbursement of its funds for consultancy fees.

COA, on its report for the city’s operation last year, noted that Mayor Socrates Fernandez hired lawyer Edwin Antepuesto from July 2009 to December 2012 as the city’s consultant on school board concerns.

As per his contract,Antepuesto started receiving P15,000 a month which is charged against the special education fund (SEF). Antepuesto’s consultancy fees since 2009 to 2012 amounted to P615,000.

But COA said the transaction contravenes with Section 163 of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual and the Local Government Code, particularly the use of the SEF. COA said Section 100, paragraph C,of the Local Government Code limits the use of the SEF, which is decided upon by the Local School Board, to: (1) Construction, repair, and maintenance of school buildings and other facilities of public elementary and secondary schools; among others. Consultancy is not included.

“The SEF of the City of Talisay was depleted by P615,000.00 due to its improper utilization, resulting in the irregular disbursements of government funds,” the report said.