COA flags Sandiganbayan justices’ foreign trips
The Philippine Commission on Audit has flagged the Sandiganbayan for failing to provide proper documentation for over P11 million in foreign travel expenses. Auditors noted missing itineraries and invitation letters, as well as potential violations of travel class policies for justices.
Why it matters
This highlights issues of government transparency and fiscal accountability within the Philippine judiciary, raising concerns about the misuse of public funds.
MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan was called out for failing to justify with proper documentation its expenses related to overseas trips of its justices and personnel, as well as organizing events in four-star and five-star venues across the country.
In its annual audit report for the anti-graft court in 2025 published on its website yesterday, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported the "granting and liquidation of CAs (cash advances) for official foreign travels of SB officials and employees for CY (calendar year) 2025, totaling P11,869,847.98, were not fully supported with complete documentary requirements."
The amount was disbursed for seven foreign trips - mostly conferences and training - to the US state of Missouri; Victoria, Australia; Budapest, Hungary; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Doha in Qatar and Singapore from September to December 2025, according to the COA report.
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