MANILA — The Commission on Audit has confirmed that its findings, reports, or documents can be used as evidence in the filing of cases against erring public officials.

Speaking for the COA when asked by 4Ps party list Rep. JC Abalos during the House budget plenary debates, budget sponsor Rep. Francisco Matugas confirmed COA findings can be used as basis to file charges such as violations of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act and malversation of public funds or property.

“Tama po, magiging part siya ng evidenciary documents for the filing of cases,” Matugas said.

Abalos backed the funding of cloud services to keep COA records, as he pointed out that records are disposed of after 10 years due to lack of storage.

Matugas said COA records that are part of cases are being kept even beyond 10 years.

Abalos said records should be kept to conform with the 20-year prescriptive period of crimes.

ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro meanwhile pressed for the timely publication of COA reports which she said will help in the budget deliberations of Congress.

Castro expressed support for a probe on the use of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education in 2022 and 2023 as she stressed her opposition to the allocation of confidential funds in general as it is hard to audit.

“Gusto nating mabago yung joint resolution. Kahit kami mayroon din kaming nakikita na parang loopholes o merong pagkukulang doon sa joint resolution. Kaya yung ginagawa nating inquiry in aid of legislation doon sa pag imbestiga ng confidential fund ng Office of the Vice President at ng DepEd noong 2022 at 2023 ay mahalaga sa amin para maka pag craft tayo ng improved joint circular,” Castro said.