Former COMELEC commissioner Rowena Guanzon is urging the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a detailed audit of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) funds, specifically calling attention to what she describes as “unnecessary” and “extravagant” expenses by Secretary Benhur Abalos.
“COA, please audit the expenses of @DILGPhilippines thoroughly and disallow the expenses of Abalos for being unnecessary and extravagant,” Guanzon posted on X.
Guanzon also criticized Abalos for using a private plane to transport dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo from Indonesia, raising concerns over the appropriateness of the action.
“Suspected of trafficking and other crimes, yet a private plane is sent to fetch her, and it’s the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government doing it,” she quipped in a video.
According to Aircharter Advisors, the cost of chartered flights to and from Manila can range from $2,000 to $30,000 (PHP 111,500 to PHP 1.68 million) per hour, depending on the aircraft.
Abalos defended his actions, explaining that a friend provided the private plane to meet the deadline set by Indonesian authorities for the arrest of the dismissed mayor. However, Ferdinand Topacio, the lawyer for Guo’s alleged accomplice, Cassandri Li Ong, argued that Abalos’ actions may have violated Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from accepting private property for official use.
On August 29, Abalos announced his intention to run for senator in the upcoming midterm elections under President Bongbong Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. His campaign is bolstered by recent appearances, including a feature on a GMA television series and a roundtable discussion at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival, which he co-led with the Filipino-American creative community.