COA lists offices of Pimentel, Trillanes as top spenders in Senate

(Eagle News) — Senator Koko Pimentel’s office incurred the most expenses among senators’ offices in 2017, a Commission on Audit report said.

According to COA, the office of Pimentel, who served as Senate president from 2016 to May 2018, spent  some P127.8 million—P49.2 million in staff salaries and benefits, and professional and consultancy fees worth P15.7 million, and  miscellaneous expenses amounting to P11.7 million from January 1 to December 31, 2017.

“That is expected. The Senate President is allocated a higher budget, because as the head of agency he also has many additional responsibilities and functions,” Pimentel said.

The report said the office of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was the second-highest spender in the Senate during that time, with consultancy fees amounting to P15.7 million, and P39.8 million  spent for the  salaries and benefits of his staff, or for a total of P87 million.

His office was followed by the offices of Senator Manny Pacquiao, with P86.4 million spent and of Senator Risa Hontiveros, with expenses amounting to P85.2 million.

The office of Senator Bam Aquino is right behind Hontiveros’  with P85 million spent during that period.

Ralph Recto’s office incurred expenses amounting to P84.4 million, COA said.

According to COA, Senator Joel Villanueva’s office incurred the least expenses among senators in 2017 at P63.2 million.