MANILA – A lawmaker backed the proposal of a former senator to grant more powers to the Commission on Audit (COA) to curb corruption in government.
 
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro expressed support for former Senator Panfilo Lacson's suggestion to give COA authority to initiate investigations and file cases against government officials involved in corruption.
 
Lacson said in an interview with DZRH on Sunday that COA should get additional powers since its functions were recommendatory.
 
"I agree to that proposal of the former Senator Ping Lacson na dapat may authority ang Commission on Audit. Because as I observed, what they do is only to transmit the result of their investigation to proper agencies like the Ombudsman," Luistro said in an interview on ANC's Headstart on Monday. 

"I think it will be more efficient and it will be more in accord with the public accountability if the Commission on Audit will be given authority as well to file cases," she added.
 
According to Lacson, cases do not move forward if the agency to which the COA has recommended its findings does not take action. He added that it would be better if the commission were given the power to file charges itself.