00:00The Armed Forces of the Philippines is moving to set its house in order after state auditors flagged issues involving millions of pesos and unliquidated cash advances.
00:09Military officials say corrective actions are in full swing, stressing they are tightening the screws to ensure transparency and the proper use of public funds.
00:19Our Patrick DeJesus tells us more.
00:23The Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, has already implemented several corrective measures.
00:30In connection with their P201.8 million in unliquidated cash advances based on the findings of the Commission on Audit or COA,
00:39according to the AFP, the salaries of personnel found to be liable were temporarily suspended along with the issuance of demand letters and the conduct of legal and administrative actions.
00:50The AFP also acknowledged the COA findings while stressing its commitment to transparency and the proper use of funds.
00:58Itong mga efforts na ito are also underway and tinatrack natin itong mga accountable officers na involved dito, especially itong mga wala na sa servisyo sa ngayon.
01:09Yung iba kasi dito nag-retire na and we intend to recover itong mga public funds in full compliance with the COA directives.
01:19Another issue flagged by COA involves up to P72.8 million pesos in unauthorized bank accounts.
01:26The AFP said they have already closed the identified accounts, including the PCSO and Domain Fund under the AFP Medical Center,
01:35and two accounts from the Presidential Security Command, while the Eastern Mindanao Command is also following the required procedures to do the same.
01:43Yung mga reports na ito did not establish any loss, misuse, or diversion of funds.
01:48Yung accounts that were cited were for the welfare and medical related, and all the funds were used for their intended purposes.
01:59Yung issue that was raised was procedural.
02:02Hence, our immediate action to close accounts and align mechanisms with regulatory requirements.
02:07Despite this, the AFP clarified that the COA findings do not mean there is already corruption,
02:15but they are ready to hold accountable those who are proven negligent in handling the funds.
02:20Ito are procedural in nature.
02:23So kung kailangan i-correct, itong sandatang lakas ng Pilipinas,
02:26of course we take this as somewhat like a constructive criticism of sorts.
02:30And kailangan ayusin natin yung sistema.
02:32Hindi ibig sabihin na may katiwalian, no?
02:34But kung meron man kailangang i-align para maging tama yung proseso,
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