System Audit has recently been given focus by the IT industry in developed countries. This is because customized programs can be a source of perennial corruption. A few centavos off one Peso put aside by a computer program over billions of Pesos can make greedy people smile. What the computer says is rarely questioned and contested.

I believe that COA should have an IT audit team that will check on all computer programs of the different departments and agencies of Government, most especially with customized computer software that will change the direction of our country’s fate like the new Comelect software.

Programmers should protect themselves against malicious amendments done by submitting programming source code to the COA before installation. Any change in the program thereafter should thoroughly be scrutinized.

I admire Mr. Abraham’s concern about our Philippine government.
Imagine the unimaginable, a filipino from a faraway place in the carribean still sharing his thing on how to improve the system of governance in the country.
Wow, what can I say.A filipino in a carribean. never heard but hear now.
Well, the only thing I can say is… politics is in the blood of every filipinos, no matter how faraway place you are… even in timbukto or tonga, expect a filipino sharing a thing in politics.

I am 100% in your side. I pray the day that corrupt officials will be accountable to the brazen violations they do against the people they serve.

About 14 billion pesos is not yet liquidated up to the present by high profile politicians, and local government units. Since the CoA does not have the mandate to execute these people, it resort to mere reminder or admonishment agaiinst the wrong doers.

If you open the Commission on Audit, and go to the local government, particularly, the Quezon City Local Government, CY 2006 and Calendar Year 2007, and then read the Summary and Recommendation of CoA, you will discover how rotten the accounting of Quezon City Local Government is.

160 million pesos was course to a Corporation by Belmonte, City Mayor, which is a brazen violation of its mandate.

You wil see 80 million plus unliquidated cash advances by high officials. Cash advances after cash advances even if the first cash advance has not yet been liquidated. This is the reason why the unliquidated amount keeps on piling up.

High profile officials of the Quezon City Local government were provided with government owned vehicle, yet, they still collect transportation allowances. (CY 2006).

Real Estate Tax collections, against the CoA accounting requirement, was made without distinction between CASH and Checks, resulting to discrepancies between 19,000 to 2.9 million a day. And the likely hood that checks can be encash and deposited to a private individual. (CY 2006).

Dead, AWOL, retired personnels were given an ATM, making it possible for the illigal withdrawals. (CY2006)

The tarpulins and posters, including painst to advertize Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, together with his Councilors should be investigated, where the funds, which runs to millions and millions were direived.

FireWorks, which is one of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte uses during ceremonies, particularly in Amoranto Sports Complex should also be investigated.

The much vouinted delaration of National highways which Mayor Feliciano Belmonte has participated in reconstruction and improvement should also be investigated.
Where on earth would he justify meddling in the National Road, when Quezon City Local Government should concentrate on other roads repairs other than NATIONAL ROADS, which is the sole function of DPWH.

The substandard repair of concretized roads around Quezon City should also be investigated.

The substandard repairs of Quezon City schools. as well as local hospitals and clinics. Roof leaks just after the repairs by unknown contractors finish their job.

The classifying of Medicine bought by Quezon City was classified as expenses when in fact it should be under assets does overstating the expenses and under stating the assets.

Many more questionable dealings and decisions can be better be understood if you go to that internet address. COMMISSIon on Audit dot PH./ Local government/ CY 2006 AND CY 2007.

The letter to Mayor Feliciano Belmonte by Commission on Audit on the CY 2006 to urgently rectify the irrigular practice was again followed up to the CY 2007.

Notably, very insignificant changes has been implemented.

This is the reason why I favor CoA to have police power. We all know that the Office of the Ombudsman is a failure and a waste of peoples money. Perhaps, CoA can take over the power of the Ombudsman.

We dont need police powers for COA or even our own police. All we need is recognize the kangaroo courts to replace our barangay courts. That should instill true discipline to everyone rght at the barangay level. That can change us overnight into the ideal breeding we all hope us to be.

GIVE COA POLICE POWER?

Giving COA police power may sound good but totally unnecessary since there is already the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan that are mandated to prosecute and litigate complaints of irregularities against those employed in government. It is for this purpose that the COA is mandated to automatically endorse to the Ombudsman their findings of irregularities. Their jobs are well defined. COA is to audit govt agencies of all budgetary disbursements. Ombudsman is to prosecute cases endorsed to it by COA and other agencies. Sandiganbayan is to give the accused their day in court. Giving COA additional power to prosecute is only duplicating the job of the Ombudsman and agencies under the judiciary.

There is no guarantee that police power will improve the judicial system for as long as there are dishonest and incompetent people, and people who are subservient to those they owe political favors or allow themselves to be suppressed by those in power.

The CoA has never been accused of corruption because it has no police power. If given power, then corruption begins.

What is important is transparency. The COA should disclose all questionable findings to the public, the intelligent public will know what to do.

I beg to disagree. there is absolutely nothing to gained by giving the COA any police power. It will only add up to the bureaucratic confusion and red tape. what we need to give them is prosecutorial powers, or that the Ombudsman deputize them with blanket authority subject to their supervision (much like what the OSG did with the prosecutors).

On this subject, do you know why the police seems to be losing the battle against crime and punishment? Because it must be under the DOJ and not the DILG. Look what is happening to their investigations and the quality of its evidence.

GIVE IT A THOUGHT!

NO NEED! to give coa police power is not the solution. power corrupts and more power corrupts even more. if that will materialize, you will see many would be applicants to the post of coa commissioner than judges or justices of the court.

In our opinion Reform CARP should be extended in order to help the poor people, & as Catholic we should help our fellowmen to decrease their problems.