News Writing Fact Sheet 2

Malacañang on Monday defended President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks assailing the Commission on Audit's supposed prohibition on
government spending on some items during disasters.

Over the weekend - Duterte called on local officials to defy "stupid" COA circular, telling that a COA employee should be pushed down
the stairs,

He said COA has not contributed to national development and that its circulars that cover government transactions are meaningless
unless they are passed into law. He said this after Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos claimed, at a post-Typhoon Ompong briefing in
the province, that COA does not allow cash advances for the purchase of building materials such as GI sheets.

Presidential spokesperson said Duterte only expressed his concern on spending limitations with regard to the delivery of humanitarian
assistance in times of crisis.

"Ang sinasabi ng Presidente, considering post-audit naman ang COA, hayaan na munang ibigay ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan
saka na muna addressin 'yang napakaraming requirements ng COA," Roque said at a news conference in Benguet.

"Ang importante ngayon wala dapat bureaucratic red tape sa pag release ng tulong ng bayan. At sabi ni Presidente kung merong
nilalabag na COA circular dyan so be it. The buck stops with him but he will and he is enjoining and calling all government offices to give
people what they need. Siya na ang mananagot sa COA kung merong pananagutan."

Ilocos Norte has already been placed under state of calamity to allow the provincial government to tap funds for rehabilitation efforts.

News Writing Fact Sheet 2

Malacañang on Monday defended President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks assailing the Commission on Audit's supposed prohibition on
government spending on some items during disasters.

Over the weekend - Duterte called on local officials to defy "stupid" COA circular, telling that a COA employee should be pushed down
the stairs,

He said COA has not contributed to national development and that its circulars that cover government transactions are meaningless
unless they are passed into law. He said this after Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos claimed, at a post-Typhoon Ompong briefing in
the province, that COA does not allow cash advances for the purchase of building materials such as GI sheets.

Presidential spokesperson said Duterte only expressed his concern on spending limitations with regard to the delivery of humanitarian
assistance in times of crisis.

"Ang sinasabi ng Presidente, considering post-audit naman ang COA, hayaan na munang ibigay ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan
saka na muna addressin 'yang napakaraming requirements ng COA," Roque said at a news conference in Benguet.

"Ang importante ngayon wala dapat bureaucratic red tape sa pag release ng tulong ng bayan. At sabi ni Presidente kung merong
nilalabag na COA circular dyan so be it. The buck stops with him but he will and he is enjoining and calling all government offices to give
people what they need. Siya na ang mananagot sa COA kung merong pananagutan."

Ilocos Norte has already been placed under state of calamity to allow the provincial government to tap funds for rehabilitation efforts.