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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) – The Audit Committee clarified Wednesday that Congress did not incur any confidential or intelligence spending in 2019.
Congress was previously reported to be one of the top spenders on “confidential, intelligence, extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses,” as stated in its annual financial report.
However, COA explained that Congress only spent $ 3.98 billion on extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses.
“Although it appears in the Confidential, Intelligence and Extraordinary Expenses category of sub-accounts prescribed in the revised Chart of Accounts for National Government Agencies, the entry of ₱ 398 billion clearly refers to the item ‘Extraordinary and Miscellaneous Expenses'” COA said in a statement.
COA explained that extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses are expenses incurred in meetings, seminars, conferences, office equipment and supplies, public relations, among others.
Meanwhile, confidential expenditures are related to surveillance activities in civilian government agencies and intelligence expenditures are related to information gathering by uniformed personnel.
In its annual financial report, state auditors said the current administration spent $ 13.47 billion on confidential, intelligence and extraordinary expenses in 2019.
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