PEACE Process Secretary Jesus Dureza on Friday vowed to return close to P1 million in funds disallowed payments after the Commission on Appointments ruled with finality the disallowance of some disbursements during his term as chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, now the Mindanao Development Authority.
“I take full responsibility for CoA disallowed payments to MedCo employees some 10 years ago,” Dureza said in an e-mailed statement.
Dureza, currently in Rome for peace talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF, said he would return close to P1 million in illegal allowances.
“Today, I was informed that CoA with finality, denied MedCo’s appeal and ruled that I together with other MedCo officials are liable for the illegal release,” he said.
“Although I already returned what I personally received myself while still at Medco years ago, I will promptly return the remaining total amount due from my own personal funds immediately upon my return to the country,” he added.
In Dureza’s case, the Commission on Audit in a decision released Thursday said MedCo showed that under Dureza’s chairmanship from 2001 to 2004, the council illegally released P456,000 as staple food assistance and P540,000 as amelioration allowance to officials and employees.
According to the COA, the allowances were not authorized by the Office of the President nor the Department of Budget and Management.
The COA, however, made an exemption, saying only MEDCo officials are liable because rank-and-file employees were unaware of restrictions and therefore accepted their share in good faith.