State auditors noted that a number of officials who were granted travel allowances have also failed to support the expenditures with complete documents.COA noted that many events and meetings abroad were “attended by the same participants” while some were frequently attended by the same participants.“There were 23 types of meetings/for a/dialogues wherein two to five participants were sent by DOJ to attend, resulting in huge amounts of traveling expenses being spent by DOJ totaling P5,550,149.
“Any procurement of airline tickets outside GFA may be subject to COA findings or disallowances,” auditors said. One official, identified as Bernadette C. Ongsoco, traveled nearly once a month and was given over P1.30 million in travel expenses and allowances. Ongsoco attended international meetings in Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, China and Vietnam in 2018.
2. George O. Ortha II – five trips abroad in Austria, Malaysia and Indonesia with expenditures reaching P437,691