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Auditing guidelines on the use of funds for socmed: Sen. Nancy Binay asks whether the Commission on Audit (COA) has auditing guidelines or procedures on the use of funds for social media campaigns. Binay, during Tuesday’s plenary deliberations, November 15, 2022, on the proposed P13.168 billion budget of COA for 2023, noted that some government agencies, such as the Department of Tourism (DOT), are now resorting to social media such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook as marketing tools to promote the country. “Does the COA have guidelines on how different agencies can comply when they utilize their funds for their social media campaigns?” asked Binay, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism. Sen. Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, said the agency is currently using the existing guidelines but acknowledged that with the advent of technology, there may be a need to come up with new guidelines. “We will await the new guidelines that COA will come up with," Binay said, adding that the use of social media will be the next wave to promote and disseminate information. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)