PMA told: Go after former cash officer

BAGUIO CITY -- The Commission on Audit has directed officials of the Philippine Military Academy here to go after a former cash officer who had to account for over P8.3 million in unliquidated cash advances.

In a report, the COA said the special disbursing officer should be held liable for his cash advances, which had been unsettled for nearly 10 years as of Dec. 31 last year.

State auditors said going after the former PMA officer, who was dishonorable discharged from the service years ago, is the responsibility of the head of the academy, in this case Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon Jr.

The COA report, quoting the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual, said, “It shall be the responsibility of the head of the agency to ensure the property granting utilization and liquidation of all cash advances in accordance with these rules and regulations.”

“We have recommended that the (PMA) send a demand letter for the immediate settlement of the concerned (special disbursing officer’s) outstanding cash advance,” COA said.

It acknowledged though that Calderon has taken action, as he has “instructed the concerned officers to prepare and send a final demand letter to the person concerned; otherwise, a civil case will be filed against him.”