Catmon told: Return P4.1M unspent PDAF

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has ordered the municipal government of Catmon to return the unused Priority Development Assistance Fund amounting to P4.1 million to the national government.

“We therefore recommend that the unspent PDAF funds be returned to the national treasury so it can be used for other priority projects of the government,” said COA in its annual audit report on Catmon’s financial operations last year.

The P4,100,500 PDAF was from Congressman Ramon “Red” Durano (P100,000), then Senator Miguel Zubiri (a balance of P500), and Coop NATCO Partylist (P4,000,000).

COA said the amount had remained unutilized as of December 31, 2014.

“With the Supreme Court’s declaration of unconstitutionality of the PDAF and CDF (Community Development Fund), disbursement and utilization of the funds are now deemed irregular, improper and/or unlawful,” said COA.

In 2013, the Supreme Court declared PDAF as unconstitutional and ordered all remaining funds allocated on or before that decision to be returned to the national coffers.

COA said if public officials would still authorize the use of the said funds, they “may be held responsible” for it.

The local officials of Catmon, according to COA, wanted to discuss the matter with the provincial legal counsel and its local cooperative.  (FREEMAN)