The Commission on Audit found in an inventory report released on January 29, that the agency’s 181 paintings were missing. This was over 50% of the artworks which are recorded as the agency’s properties.
Its Central Office ordered a physical inventory of COA’s “plant, property and equipment” which was a requirement under the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.
The audit team which discovered that paintings were missing said the artworks were “valuable” and, if not found, would be a “significant loss of government assets.”
The accounting division’s record showed COA has 353 paintings in possession. However, in the separate list of COA’s property division, only 172 artworks were listed.
“The 181 paintings that are not included in the RPCPPE (Report on the Physical Count of Property, Plant, and Equipment) are deemed to be not physically verified during the conduct of the physical inventory for 2019, hence, considered missing,” said the report.
Former COA chairs, commissioners, assistant commissioners, and other officials have brought the said paintings to the agency.
Also read: COA reports MMDA’s unfinished flood control projects
Commission on Audit finds 181 of its paintings are missing
The audit team, who did not disclose the worth of each artwork, said the paintings “convey symbolic significance/importance acquired over a length of time that commands a substantial financial value.”
As a response to the audit team report, COA management ordered the accounting office to reconcile its records with the RPCPPE-Works of Art and Archeological Specimens.
Commission on Audit was also advised to locate the 181 missing paintings and make a complete and comprehensive inventory of the artworks.
The audit team recommended to investigate and file charges “against persons found negligent or at fault in the handling or safekeeping of the missing paintings.”
The Commission on Audit, abbreviated as COA, is an independent constitutional commission established by the Constitution of the Philippines. It has the primary function to examine, audit and settle all accounts and expenditures of the funds and properties of the Philippine government.
Also read: Mayor in Quezon grants single employees leave ‘to find true love’