MANILA - The Commission on Audit proper said the decisions of its Corporate Government Sector Cluster on the disallowance of P33 million bonuses given to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth employees and officials in the National Capital Region and Region XII are “final and executory.”

In two separate decisions dated June 11, 2019 and signed by COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose Fabia and Roland Pondoc, the decision of the COA cluster denying the appeal of Philhealth NCR and Region XII were affirmed.

The notice of disallowance to Philhealth NCR covers Productivity Incentive Bonus given to officials and employees in 2009 amounting to P22.446 million.

The same set of bonus was also given to Philhealth Region XII officials and employees in 2012 with a total amount of P11.587 million.

The COA proper noted that the appeals of the two regional offices of Philhealth went beyond the 180-day reglementary period, 299 days for NCR and 198 days for Region XII.

“It bears emphasis that the requirement of perfecting an appeal within the reglementary period must be strictly followed as they are considered indispensable interdictions against needless delays,” the COA proper said.

The COA proper also said that even if the appeals were filed on time, they will still be denied for violation of Administrative Order No. 103 dated January 14, 1994.

The payment of PIB to officers and employees must have prior approval from the Office of the President, the COA proper also emphasized.