Atty. Jake Cimafranca of the Commission on Audit (COA), the man behind the agency’s flagging of the 2020 audit report of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), died of a heart attack as announced on August 17, due to ‘stress’ after the Duterte Government continue to demonize the bureau.
The former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza claimed that Atty. Cimafranca’s passing was due to his audit report against the DOH and the DICT.
In her facebook post, Mendoza wrote her condolences: “As if not enough, Jake the Team Leader of DOH, is also the one behind the DICT audit report.
“Audit is life! And I’m sure you will be at peace because you have lived a life meant to serve many! My prayers and gratitude.”
However, Atty. Cimafranca died on August 4, a week before COA revealed deficiencies with how the DOH used its P67.32 billion budget meant for the Covid-19 response on August 13.
The COA audit report further stated that the deficiencies have contributed to the challenges and missed opportunities by the DOH amid a national emergency. The agency then added that the findings “cast doubts on the regularity of related transactions.”
Among other findings, COA discovered irregularities in the acquisition process and the lack of documentation in several contracts. There were at least P66.28 million flagged due to noncompliance with laws and rules on spending.
COA also called out the DOH for its expiring and expired medicines worth P95 million.
In a statement, the health agency responded to the report of COA, claiming that the P67.32 billion is all accounted for and spent on medical kits and salaries for healthcare workers.
“The DOH acknowledges the findings concerning these funds and is currently addressing the said compliance issues and deficiencies.
“We take our COA findings very seriously and have been working to further improve our processes and controls so that we can serve the public most effectively,” it said.
Meanwhile, on August 16, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, in his weekly Talk to the People, lashed out against the state agency for flagging DOH headed by his appointed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Stop that flagging goddamnit. You make a report, do not flag. Do not publish it because it would condemn the agency or person that you are flagging,” ranted Duterte.
Other than DOH, COA also made reports flagging the DICT’s unspent P5.78 billion budget for 2020. It pointed that its failure to utilize the funding has resulted in still unimproved Internet connectivity in the country.
Despite the death of Atty. Cimafranca a week before COA released its report, along with Pres. Duterte rant, several Netizens expressed their sympathies to the late Commissioner’s bereaved family.
Nakakalungkot. Rest in God's embrace, Atty. Jake.
— #labapilipinas (@labapilipinas) August 17, 2021
Yes, auditing is a stressful job. And I am speaking from experience in the private sector. What more for being a government auditor with a hostile admin.
I pray for the family of Atty. Jake Cimafranca. May he now rest in peace. https://t.co/YVSsKC0HOk
— Citizen Jane (@citizenjaneph) August 17, 2021
On facebook, several netizens also sympathized with Mendoza.
“Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Jake, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
“Hanggang sa huli, he did his job very well.. salamat sa mga katulad niya sa gobyerno. RIP.”
“Our hearts bleed for the patriotic audit guy. May he find peace in the arms of his Creator. And may his efforts at doing his work properly, without fear, find its proper rewards of vindication by the proper authorities- soon.”
“It was a job well done by Mr. Jake. That is the best legacy he left for his family. No fear, no turning back because he got the best tool w/c is the truth.”
