GRAPPLING with P717 million in cash advances in 2022 that have yet to be liquidated, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to withhold the salaries and benefits of its personnel involved.
Speaking at a televised public briefing yesterday, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said this move is meant to prod their personnel with unliquidated cash advances to complete the process.
“We have already identified the personnel involved here and we have sent demand letters to them,” said Laudiangco.
“We will be withholding their salaries and benefits until such time that they can account and liquidate everything,” he added.
He said the poll body is prepared to file charges against those who fail to liquidate their cash advances.
“If withholding (salaries and benefits) doesn’t work, we will file cases regarding these unliquidated cash advances to the persons who have received them,” said Laudiangco, adding the majority of the unliquidated advances were “used in conducting command conferences, training of teachers, accommodation and transportation, and honoraria for the electoral boards.”
In its annual audit report, the Commission on Audit said the Comelec has accumulated over P2.1 billion worth of unliquidated cash advances by the end of 2022.
According to the Comelec, however, the unliquidated cash advances, as of July 12, are down to P717,154,871.57.
“We expect to finish liquidation at the soonest possible time,” said Laudiangco.
