For Laguna

AN INTERPLAY between governance and public perception can be a delicate balance in the world of politics, especially at the local level.

Recent events in Laguna have shown this dynamic, particularly as Governor Ramil Hernandez faces unfounded rumors and attacks from his detractors aimed at undermining his leadership.

This prompted his office to take a significant step by publicly releasing on November 12 the annual reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) for 2022 and 2023.

The move was seen on his part as a commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.

The COA’s audits are critical in assessing the financial health and operational integrity of government agencies.

These reports provide insights into how public funds are managed and whether the government adheres to established regulations.

For the year 2022, the COA, led by Regional Director Atty. Resurreccion C. Quieta, commended Hernandez for his cooperation with the audit team, highlighting the importance of collaboration in ensuring a thorough evaluation.

Following a full and comprehensive audit for the year 2022, the state auditors then subsequently rendered a qualified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the province’s financial statements in view of the significance of the exceptions noted in the audit, as stated in the independent auditor’s report.

The COA says a qualified opinion is issued when the auditor, after having obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence, concludes that misstatements, individually or in the aggregate, are material, but not pervasive, to the financial statement.

The audit process involved a detailed examination of financial statements, compliance with laws, and operational efficiency.

It reassures the public that government assertions about its financial status are accurate and that funds are being used appropriately.

The findings from the 2022 audit not only affirmed the legitimacy of the provincial government’s financial transactions but also offered constructive recommendations for improvements—demonstrating a proactive approach to governance.

For the year 2023, Quieta in a letter to Hernandez on June 10, 2024, again expressed their appreciation to him for his full cooperation during the conduct of the audit.

After careful and judicious audit, the COA this time rendered an even better unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the province’s financial statements as stated in the Independent Auditor’s Report.

An unmodified opinion as defined by COA is issued when the auditor concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.

The release of these audit reports serves as a powerful counter-narrative to detractors who seek to paint a misleading picture of governance in Laguna.

It underscores the importance of relying on factual, audited information rather than engaging in the politics of rumor and speculation.

By releasing the COA reports, Hernandez managed to set the record straight and belied misleading claims by his detractors.

Furthermore, he succeeded in emphasizing a broader lesson in political accountability.

Elected officials must be willing to openly share their performance metrics and engage with the community regarding their governance.

In doing so, they can build trust and foster a more informed electorate, capable of distinguishing between fact and fiction.

As Laguna moves forward, the commitment of its leaders to transparency will be crucial.

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