More Red Cross officials seek fund audit
from a report by Henry Omaga Diaz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 12/18/2013 11:45 PM | Updated as of 12/18/2013 11:45 PM
'Bakit ayaw nila ng audit?' -- Rosa Rosal
MANILA - As allegations of fund misuse hound the Philippine Red Cross, more of the organization's officials are pushing for an audit.
Among the first to call for an audit was Red Cross Governor Rosa Rosal, who has been serving at the insitution for 63 years.
She is taking the issues hounding the organization personally.
Rosal supports the agency's former chief accountant, Jeric Sian, in questioning the way the agency spent its funds.
The allegedly questionable transactions include the purchase of baller IDs with the name of Red Cross chairman and former senatorial candidate Richard Gordon, WOW tarpaulins, and more.
Rosal's only request is that Red Cross funds be audited.
"All I want is audit. Bakit ayaw nila?" she asked.
Meanwhile, for the first time, three other Red Cross officials faced ABS-CBN News.
They have already written to the board to push for an audit.
"Sumulat kami to appeal para malinawan na ang lahat," said Red Cross Governor Leslie Espino.
Aside from Rosal and Espino, Governor Elmer Espiritu and Board Treasurer Baby Ortiz also want a review of the group's finances.
But not all members of the board are in favor of this.
For others, there is no basis for calls to do the audit anymore snce Secretary-General Gwen Pang has already been cleared of the allegations.
"Tapos na iyan. Ano pa ang gusto nila?" said Red Cross Governor Rodolfo Reyes.
"Ang hinahanap namin yung fraud audit. Hindi naman nasasakop ang financial transactions sa systems audit," Espino countered.
Some, meanwhile, claim that Rosal is just being used by some members of the board for their agenda.
"She is 83 years old , parang nanay ko yan pero I think because of her age nagagamit sya ng grupong ito," said lawyer Lorna Kapunan, counselor of the Red Cross.
"I may be 83 years old pero malinaw pa ang isip ko nakakapag memorya pa ako, beauty pa ako," Rosal replied. "Hindi ako magpapagamit kahit kanino. All I want is audit of Red Cross funds."
Red Cross officials, meanwhile, assured the public that no Red Cross money is spent on anomalous transactions.