COA flags Palace's P14.4 million in uncollected foreign travel dues

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December 3, 2025 | 7:55am

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Office of the President for failing to collect nearly P14.4 million in foreign travel expenses advanced on behalf of other government agencies since the start of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

In its 2024 audit report, COA said the OP booked airfare and hotel accommodations for government officials who joined the president’s overseas trips but did not secure reimbursement from their respective agencies.

Marcos traveled to 11 countries in 2024, including his trilateral meeting with the United States and Japan. Cabinet secretaries and their staff regularly joined these trips, with travel costs initially charged to Marcos' office.

P14.4 million remain unpaid

The OP’s overdue receivables from other agencies totaled P14,403,827.6 since the start of Marcos' term in 2022. The amount "remained uncollected" as of Dec. 31, 2024. Section 6.1 of COA Circular 2016-005 requires advances to be liquidated and collected promptly.

COA identified several debtor-agencies that still owe the Palace for travel expenses, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance and Department of Foreign Affairs, among others.

The audit report stressed that the amount has accumulated over time since Marcos assumed office in 2022.

COA urges stronger billing and monitoring system

Auditors recommended that the OP issue demand letters immediately and adopt a clearer mechanism for managing reimbursements. Suggested measures include 

• creating a billing and reimbursement policy,
• requiring formal agreements before officials join foreign trips, and
• strengthening monitoring of unpaid receivables.

The COA noted that the OP lacked a uniform procedure to track expenses it shoulders for other agencies, making follow-ups inconsistent and sometimes delayed.

Palace says over half already collected

In its response to the COA, Malacañang said demand letters were issued in April 2025 and that the office “remains committed” to collecting all outstanding dues.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Monday, December 1, that 55% of the total amount — or P7,887,555.64 — has already been collected.

She added that the demand letters included a deadline for settling the remaining balance.