The Office of the Vice President (OVP) firmly rejected any accusations of financial mismanagement following the release of the 2024 Commission on Audit (COA) report. In its response, the OVP stated that there was no loss or waste of government funds, emphasizing that the audit mainly pointed out administrative issues, all of which have been addressed.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the OVP outlined that the COA found no evidence of wrongdoing and issued an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the OVP’s financial statements. “No finding of wrongdoing,” the statement declared, clarifying that the COA’s review did not reveal any substantial financial mismanagement but instead highlighted procedural matters that are being corrected.
One of the audit’s key findings was the delayed liquidation of grants from the OVP’s livelihood program, Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD). The program, aimed at providing financial aid to beneficiaries, had 31 grants under review. As of May 7, 2025, 14 of the grants were fully liquidated, 11 were returned for compliance, and six grants remained unliquidated. The OVP assured that all necessary steps are being taken to resolve the delays.
The report also indicated a reduction in the OVP’s travel expenses, with spending decreasing from P42.77 million in 2023 to P34.42 million in 2024. Additionally, the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) personnel decreased from 443 in 2023 to 335 in 2024, which was another point raised in the audit.
The OVP reiterated that all audit observations have been reviewed and discussed with management during an exit conference on May 16, 2025, and that the office is committed to fully implementing COA’s recommendations. “We remain committed to improving the efficiency of our operations and ensuring transparency in our financial matters,” the OVP stated.
With these clarifications, the OVP aims to push back against the allegations of mismanagement and reaffirm its commitment to accountability and responsible governance.
