DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza on Friday said he would return the remaining total amount which was given to Mindanao Economic Development Council employees in 2005.
This developed after the Commission on Audit, in its four-page decision released Dec. 27, ruled that granting of allowances which were exempted from the Salary Standardization Law was “unauthorized.”
COA found Dureza liable for the unauthorized payment of P456,000 in staple food assistance and P540,000 in amelioration allowance when he served as the MEDCO chairperson from from 2001 to 2004.
“As sole approving authority, I personally take FULL responsibility and spare the other employees/officials from liability as ruled by COA,” Dureza said in a statement who is at Rome attending the third round of peace talks between the government and with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
“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.
Dureza reasoned out that he approved the allowances to “augment [the employees’] meager pay and to give them incentives for a year’s good performance.” (davaotoday.com)
