The COA Report: A Smokescreen for the Real Issue—Sara Duterte’s Misuse of Public Funds

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Commission on Audit (COA) report has been weaponized once again—not to uphold transparency, but to shield Vice President Sara Duterte from valid scrutiny. While Duterte’s allies gloat over an unmodified opinion, they conveniently ignore that this does not equate to a clean slate. COA merely assesses financial reporting compliance; it does not exonerate public officials from questionable spending, nor does it certify ethical leadership.

The real issue remains: The Filipino people deserve clear answers on why the Office of the Vice President (OVP) received an unprecedented P125 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in 2022—funds that COA itself flagged as problematic. Duterte’s defenders want this discussion buried, but no amount of political grandstanding can erase public concern over opaque transactions, unexplained expenditures, and a budget allocation that defies logic.

A ‘Flawless’ Audit? Think Again.

The claim that the COA report "annihilates every baseless accusation" is a blatant distortion. An unmodified opinion simply means the financial statements were prepared according to government accounting standards—it does not mean there was no questionable spending. In fact, COA reports have repeatedly flagged irregular transactions under Sara Duterte’s leadership, particularly the mysterious transfer of CIF to the OVP.

If Duterte’s allies truly valued transparency, they would push for a full disclosure of how these funds were spent. Instead, they peddle the false narrative that COA has given Duterte a ‘clean bill of health’—a misleading claim designed to silence critics and distract from genuine concerns.

The Real Hypocrisy: Duterte’s Double Standards on Transparency

Sara Duterte’s defenders love to accuse her critics of hypocrisy, but the real double standard lies in their refusal to hold her accountable. They demand scrutiny of other government agencies but turn a blind eye when Duterte’s office is questioned. Where is the transparency in the OVP’s CIF spending? Why does Duterte refuse to explain how these confidential funds—historically not allocated to the Vice President’s office—were spent?

This is the same administration that prides itself on being ‘tough’ and ‘uncompromising,’ yet its response to valid criticism is to deflect, demonize, and distort. If Sara Duterte is truly as strong and principled as her supporters claim, she should have no issue facing an independent audit of her discretionary funds. Instead, all we hear are empty boasts about an unmodified opinion—one that does nothing to address the underlying questions about her use of taxpayer money.

COA Reports Should Not Be Cherry-Picked for Political Convenience

Duterte’s defenders are quick to dismiss COA findings when they expose anomalies within their ranks, yet they now treat an unmodified opinion as an irrefutable endorsement of her governance. The same people who ignore COA’s red flags on intelligence funds are now clinging to a standard audit opinion as if it absolves Duterte of any wrongdoing.

The truth is, COA audits do not operate as verdicts of guilt or innocence. They highlight compliance, but they do not erase the need for accountability. If Duterte’s office was indeed run with honesty and efficiency, why the desperate attempts to shut down calls for further investigation? Why refuse transparency if there is truly nothing to hide?

Leadership Is Not Measured by Audit Opinions—It’s Measured by Accountability

A true leader does not hide behind selective interpretations of audit reports. A true leader welcomes scrutiny and answers questions with clarity and honesty. Sara Duterte’s continued evasion of transparency, coupled with her camp’s aggressive misinformation campaign, speaks volumes about her leadership style.

If Duterte and her allies want to prove their commitment to good governance, they should start by fully disclosing how every peso of CIF was spent. They should support legislative measures requiring full transparency on intelligence and confidential funds. Until then, no amount of self-serving rhetoric will erase the fact that Sara Duterte has yet to answer the real questions surrounding her office’s financial dealings.

The Filipino people deserve more than empty proclamations of victory. They deserve truth, transparency, and accountability—not political smokescreens.

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