A FACT-FINDING committee created by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to look into the allegations made by the Commission on Audit (COA) in its 2007 report has requested an extension of one week to wrap up its probe so “it could dig deeper” into the charges.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, the head of the panel, Assistant Agriculture Secretary Eduardo Nolasco, said the panel will need the additional time to obtain and study all the pertinent documents from the DA’s regional field units where the COA noted discrepancies.

“Given that our team is tasked not only to verify the facts but also to determine accountability, we would like to be absolutely certain and accurate with our findings, especially since our recommendations might include possible prosecution of individuals who may be liable,” said Nolasco.

“As members of the fact-finding audit team, it is our responsibility to be prudent and cautious in fulfilling our duty,” he said.

Yap had earlier given the committee a deadline of September 26 to submit its report so the DA could announce its findings, as well as the actions it will take against the guilty parties, by October 3.

Earlier the DA had suspended fund releases to private beneficiaries such as nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) pending the DA investigation.

Yap said during a news forum earlier this week that once the probe panel comes out with its findings, the DA would be “ready to prosecute.”

“We will be ready to submit for investigation and for the filing of charges against whoever we believe should answer for any irregularities and liabilities that may be established,” said Yap.

The DA chief said he ordered the suspension of fund releases as he directed the DA’s legal division to craft a new set of guidelines covering the transfer or download of such funds to NGOs and POs that are among the beneficiaries of agricultural projects.                                        

Yap said he has also directed all of the DA’s regional executive directors in the regions to submit their respective investigation reports on the COA findings.

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