Audit commission questions National Museum on loaned archeological specimens, artworks

via Manila Bulletin, 23 May 2021: The Philippine Commission on Audit of the National Museum of the Philippines finds some irregularities and the “inadequate internal control” of loans to external parties. Disclosure: I know many colleagues working in the National Musuem of the Philippines, and the people named in the report. I do not believe the audit to be an accusation of ethical failings as much as it is about improper paperwork and tracking.

State auditors have aired serious doubts into the veracity of the list of 1,084 pieces of archeological specimens and several artworks loaned by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to various government and private institutions, including top universities in the United States.

The Commission on Audit (COA), in its 2020 NMP annual audit report released recently, also found as “irregular and/or of doubtful validity” some P42.9 million in disbursements made for the year, including the grant to certain employees of COVID-19 Hazard Pay amounting to P20,967.80.

In the audit report prepared by the COA team headed by Director Elinore C. Lavilla, it was noted that there has been “inadequate internal control” on the loan and transfer to government agencies and private institutions of Works of Arts and Archeological Specimens.

Source: COA questions National Museum on loaned archeological specimens, artworks – Manila Bulletin