According to COA's audit report for DepEd for 2023—the final year Vice President Sara Duterte led the agency—state auditors issued notices of suspension totaling P10.1 billion, notices of disallowance amounting to P2.2 billion, and notices of charges worth P7.38 million. These actions were taken due to "noncompliance with existing laws and regulations" in the execution of several major projects.
The review of how notices of suspension, disallowance, and charges were enforced revealed that the total flagged amount, which represented just 1.7 percent of the P710.6 billion budget allocated to DepEd last year, "remained unsettled." This was despite DepEd officials acknowledging that they would return the disputed funds.
**Unliquidated Advances**
"We recommended, and management agreed, that the suspensions, disallowances, and charges be resolved promptly in line with the revised Rules and Regulations on Settlement of Accounts (RRSA)," state auditors noted in their report.
According to COA’s RRSA, a disallowance refers to the audit of disbursements and transactions that have been rejected "in whole or in part."
Suspensions, conversely, are a "temporary disallowance" of transactions that raise questions about their "legality, validity, or propriety." This measure remains in place until the responsible agencies can provide justification or meet the necessary requirements during the auditing process.
Specific agency officers receive notices of charge when an amount assessed, billed, or collected is "less than what is owed to the government."
State auditors also identified "lapses" in the management, recording, and reporting of cash transactions across various regional offices, as well as the accumulation of nearly P7 billion in unliquidated cash advances that were either unauthorized or lacked a specific purpose, in violation of COA rules.
They recommended—and management agreed—that DepEd officials stop issuing additional cash advances, particularly when previous transactions remain unliquidated.
The COA has recommended that the salaries of the accountable officers involved be withheld, among other penalties, “until they have fully settled their liabilities.”
### Failed Projects
The COA identified several DepEd projects as noncompliant, including the computerization program, which utilized only 23.3 percent of its budget. The “Last Mile Schools” program showed a mere 3 percent completion rate for classroom construction in remote areas. Additionally, there were delays and inefficiencies in the Basic Education Facilities Fund and the School-Based Feeding Program.
The COA report highlighted a “zero-accomplishment rate” for DepEd’s computerization project, attributing this to the central office's failure to complete the procurement process for 2023. These issues have impacted DepEd’s efforts to enhance students' information and communication technology skills.
For the Last Mile Schools program, a status report revealed that only three of the 93 intended classrooms were completed in 2023, with 69 ongoing and 21 still under bidding. This program aims to improve makeshift classrooms in isolated and disadvantaged areas to provide quality education.
DepEd’s Basic Education Facilities Fund also faced “poor implementation,” issues with “electrification” of facilities, and “lapses” in inspecting, delivering, and safeguarding school furniture from 2018 to 2023.
In the School-Based Feeding Program, the COA noted that the agency’s efforts to provide good nutrition were hindered by delays in feeding components across 21 school division offices, failure to meet technical requirements, and the “nonprogramming of unutilized funds.”
### Accountability and Legislative Inquiry
A congressional investigation into DepEd’s budget mismanagement has gained momentum in the Lower House. Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas supports proposals for Congress to examine DepEd’s bidding processes from 2022 to 2024, particularly regarding the procurement of P9.17 billion worth of 20,000 laptops. Brosas pointed out that 12,022 laptops for teachers and 7,558 for non-teaching staff remain undelivered, impacting the implementation of e-learning systems.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has warned officials who misused P112 million in DepEd’s confidential funds for 2023, asserting that they must be held accountable. She responded to Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla’s claim that the department was unaware of how the confidential funds were used.
### Public Reaction
While Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to address media inquiries regarding the recent COA findings, she expressed gratitude to her supporters for their contributions towards the 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP). She appreciated the public’s support and generosity, reflecting their commitment to her office’s goals. Social media users have started initiatives to donate to the OVP’s budget, with some suggesting that 32 million supporters contribute at least P10 each, referencing Duterte’s 2022 election vote count.
However, Duterte advised her supporters to donate to those affected by Tropical Storm “Enteng” instead. She emphasized that any contribution would be a “significant help” for those in need, particularly for those struggling with the impact of the storm, to assist them in overcoming their challenges and rebuilding their lives.
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