COA ANNUAL REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY OCTOBER 31, HOUSE PANEL RULES

The House subcommittee on budget amendments approved a provision setting an October 31 deadline for the Commission on Audit (COA) to publish its annual audit reports (AARs) under the proposed 2026 national budget.

The amendment requires COA to release the reports by this date, improving on past delays where reports were often published as late as December.

COA Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba had suggested an earlier August 15 deadline, but the subcommittee chose October instead.

The provision also mandates agencies to submit a status report on their responses to audit findings, which COA will publish as an appendix to the AAR.

Timely release of these reports is seen as crucial by watchdogs for helping Congress allocate public funds more prudently during budget deliberations.

Source: PhilNews24 | October 10, 2025