Comelec gets first unmodified opinion from COA

The Commission on Elections has received for the first time an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA), Comelec chairperson George Garcia said.

"I am very happy to announce that for the first time in its 84-year history, the Commission on Elections received an unmodified opinion in the Annual Audit Report of the Commission on Audit," Garcia said in a statement Wednesday evening.

"The COA found that this Commission's financial statements 'present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Commission on Elections as of December 31,2023' in compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards," he added.

According to the COA website, an unmodified opinion also known as unqualified opinion is  issued when the auditor concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.

In contrary, the COA said, a modified opinion – includes qualified, adverse and disclaimer of opinion – is issued when the auditor concludes that, based on the audit evidence obtained, the financial statements as a whole are not free from material misstatement; or is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to conclude that the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement.

Garcia, in announcing the development, lauded the employees in all offices and departments "who contributed to this honor."

Further, the Comelec chief said that the poll body will continue to give their best with a goal of becoming the beacon of excellence in public service.

Garcia took the helm of the poll commission in 2022. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News