Commission on Appointments (COA), Constitutional Law
1. Composition and qualifications
Composition, There shall be a Commission on Audit composed of a Chairman and two (2) Commissioners. (Section 1[1], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
Same; Limitation. At no time shall all Members of the Commission belong to the same profession. (Section 1[1], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
| Qualifications of COA Chairperson and Commissioners: |
| 1) Natural-born citizens of the Philippines; |
| 2) At least thirty-five (35) years of age, at the time of their appointment; |
| 3) Certified public accountants with not less than ten (10) years of auditing experience, or members of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years; and |
| 4) Must not have been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their appointment. (Section 1[1], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.) |
2. Powers and functions
| COA powers and functons: |
| The Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and on a post-audit basis: |
| 1) Constitutional bodies, commissions and offices that have been granted fiscal autonomy under this Constitution; |
| 2) Autonomous state colleges and universities; |
| 3) Other government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries; and |
| 4) Such non-governmental entities receiving subsidy or equity, directly or indirectly, from or through the Government, which are required by law or the granting institution to submit to such audit as a condition of subsidy or equity. (Section 2[1], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.) |
Internal control system of audited agencies. Where the internal control system of the audited agencies is inadequate, the Commission may adopt such measures, including temporary or special pre-audit, as are necessary and appropriate to correct the deficiencies. (Ibid.)
General accounts, vouchers, supporting documents. It shall keep the general accounts of the Government and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve the vouchers and other supporting papers pertaining thereto. (Section 2[1], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
3. Exclusive Authority
Exclusive authority – on audit and examination. The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in this Article, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties. (Section 2[2], Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
4. No law exempting Government entity from audit
No law shall be passed exempting any entity of the Government or its subsidiary in any guise whatever, or any investment of public funds, from the jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit. (Section 3, Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
5. Annual Report to the President and Congress
The Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress, within the time fixed by law, an annual report covering the financial condition and operation of the Government, its subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and non-governmental entities subject to its audit, and recommend measures necessary to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. (Section 4, Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
It shall submit such other reports as may be required by law. (Section 4, Part D, Article IX, Ibid.)
