THE Commission on Audit (COA) reported that more than P14 million in foreign travel expenses advanced by the Office of the President (OP) for various government officials remained uncollected as of December 2024.

State auditors said in their annual report, “Overdue receivable from other agencies pertaining to airfare and hotel accommodations of government officials initially paid by OP in connection with foreign travels amounting to P14,403,827.63 remained uncollected as of December 31, 2024.”

The unpaid travel expenses were incurred by officials from national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and several local government units that joined presidential foreign trips starting in 2022. These include representatives from the Board of Investments, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and multiple departments such as Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Information and Communications Technology, Interior and Local Government, Justice, Migrant Workers, Public Works and Highways, Tourism, and Trade and Industry.

Delegates from the House of Representatives, National Security Council, Presidential Communications Office, Presidential Management Staff, Radio Television Malacañang, Senate, and TESDA were also listed. Officials from the National Housing Authority and the local governments of Bacolod, Sultan Kudarat, and Tawi-Tawi likewise joined the trips.

The unliquidated advances covered expenses from the President’s visits to countries including China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States.

COA flagged that some of the OP’s advances had remained unpaid for over two years. It noted that, “Inquiry from the (OP) revealed that billings are issued to the respective debtor-agencies for their corresponding expenses incurred during the state visits,” adding that payments become due 30 days after issuance.

“The aging of the outstanding accounts as of December 31, 2024 ranges from six months to more than two years,” COA said.

Because of the prolonged delays, auditors called on the OP to enforce stronger collection measures. They found that while billing statements are sent once hotel and airline invoices are received, there were no follow-up demands issued after accounts became overdue.

The OP has since informed COA that demand letters were issued to debtor-agencies in April 2025.