More than P14 million in foreign travel expenses advanced by the Office of the President (OP) for various government officials remained uncollected as of December 2024, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported.
“Overdue receivable from other agencies pertaining to airfare and hotel accommodations of government officials initially paid by OP in connection with foreign travels amounting to P14,403,827.63 remained uncollected as of December 31, 2024,” state auditors said in their annual audit report.
The uncollected amount reportedly covered expenses incurred by officials from other national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local government units who joined presidential foreign trips beginning in 2022.
According to COA, the officials came from the Board of Investments, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Also listed were representatives from the House of Representatives, National Security Council, Presidential Communications Office, Presidential Management Staff, Radio Television Malacañang, Senate of the Philippines, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Officials from the National Housing Authority and local governments of Bacolod, Sultan Kudarat, and Tawi-Tawi were likewise part of the delegation.
The unliquidated expenses covered the President’s visits to China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States.
COA noted that the OP’s advances were already overdue, with some remaining unpaid for more than two years.
“Inquiry from the (OP) revealed that billings are issued to the respective debtor-agencies for their corresponding expenses incurred during the state visits,” COA said, adding that these become due 30 days from issuance.
“The aging of the outstanding accounts as of December 31, 2024 ranges from six months to more than two years,” it added.
Because of this, auditors urged the OP to strengthen its collection efforts. They noted that the OP sends billing statements upon receipt of hotel invoices and airline billings, but no follow-up demands are issued once accounts become overdue.
COA said the OP informed them that demand letters were already sent to debtor-agencies in April 2025.
GMA News Online has sought comment from Malacañang.—MCG, GMA Integrated News
AloJapan.com