Press Release
May 20, 2009

Pia: COA report further justifies Senate probe on Balikatan funds mess

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said calls for a Senate probe into the 'Balikatan funds mess' has been made more urgent by reports about the discovery by the Commission on Audit (COA) of P244.7 million in unremitted funds meant for the 2006 and 2007 RP-US Balikatan exercises.

"The Senate should immediately pursue an inquiry into possible irregularities in the disbursement of the Balikatan funds as first exposed by Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Nancy Gadian, who is now in hiding for fear of her life, as well as the COA report, which indicates that bigger amounts could be involved."

Cayetano is the author of Senate Resolution No.1071 which calls for a legislative inquiry into Gadian's allegation that her superiors misused P40 million in funds for the Balikatan exercises in 2007.

The lady senator met with Gadian's elder sister, Nedina Diamante, and her lawyers at the Senate yesterday.

"Lt. Gadian's allegation involves millions in funds meant for public use. The source of the funds is material, whether from the US or AFP funds, because the responsibilities of the Senate include guarding over the national budget which it approves every year."

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