SC reverses CoA听decision听disallowing P17-M DBP salary increases听听
THE COUNTRY鈥橲听Highest Court has reversed the 2015 ruling of the Commission on Audit (CoA) that disallowed the salary increases of eight senior officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in 2006 amounting to P17.4 million.听听
In its decision dated March 2 and published on July 25, the Supreme Court (SC) held that the听鈥淐oA committed grave abuse of discretion in reviewing a final and executory judgement and reopening a settled account beyond the legal period.鈥澨听
The听court听explained that the 2012听CoA听decision听to lift the disallowance of the salary increase听was听鈥渇inal and executory鈥澨齛s there was no motion for reconsideration or appeal filed by the opposing party within 30 days after the DBP received the CoA鈥檚 decision in Feb. 6.听听听
Under the CoA鈥檚 Rules of Procedure,听鈥渢he commission鈥檚 decision or resolution shall become final and executory after 30 days from notice unless a motion for reconsideration or an appeal to the (Supreme Court) is filed.鈥澨听
The High Court further stated that under Section 52 of Presidential Decree 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, the CoA can only reopen and reexamine cases听鈥渨ithin three years after the original settlement.鈥澨鈥斕鼴ianca Angelica D.听A帽ago听听
