(Eagle News) — The Commission on Audit has flagged the Children’s Welfare Council for supposedly paying an unnamed DZMM reporter P1.05 million to “cover the activities of the CWC’s celebration of the National Children’s Month..”
According to the report, which was uploaded by COA on its site on Saturday, July 21, the DZMM reporter was also supposed to arrange the radio and television guestings of CWC; ensure availability of CWC officials and/or technical staff to these guestings; compile news reports/articles and submit the same to CWC for their reference; distribute NCM materials such as posters, whistle with how to use card, and briefer to all press/media personnel who attended the NCM activities; and invite press people to the various activities of NCM in exchange for the amount.
But “the audit of the liquidation of the cash advances revealed that no contract was executed neither was the procurement of the service go through public bidding pursuant to the IRR of the RA 9184, thus bereft of legal basis,” the COA said.
In a statement, DZMM said it would conduct an investigation.
“DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 takes allegations of unethical practices by any member of our news organization seriously,” it said.
“We expect our journalists to adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct at all times,” it added.