NEGROS Occidental Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan said Monday that Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan has already submitted his answer to the notice of disallowance issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) relative to the purchase of fertilizers worth P299,000.
"I do not know if COA already received his reply. It would be up to COA to reconsider it, including the submission of the requirements considering that the period prescribed has already matured that's why the notice of disallowance was issued against him," he said.
Pinongan said the COA issued a number of suspension orders, but other concerned officials were able to comply and those who failed to meet the prescribed period were issued a notice of disallowance.
He said COA is an independent body that nobody could influence and that it is their decision which transactions should be disallowed.
Pinongan made the explanation in response to suspicions that there could be some groups who are after Tabianan and who want him out of his position that's why the COA notice of disallowance came out.
He said that he is not aware of such report.
COA stated in its notice that the amount was disallowed because of Tabianan’s "failure to submit the requirements within 90 days upon receipt of notice of suspension."
Tabianan said the fertilizers were distributed to farmers in Cauayan town.
The turnover ceremony was held in the presence of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and former vice governor Genaro Alvarez in 2012, he added.
Tabianan said he received the required documents only after the notice of disallowance was served.