Manila, Oct. 13 -- The Senate Committee on Finance (Subcommittee A), chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, approved Monday the Commission on Audit's (COA) PHP15.07-billion allocation under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) even with the absence of Commissioner Mario Lipana.

"It's been a tradition during budget season na yung mga commissioners, in full force, pumupunta talaga dito (they come here). So, may I ask where is Commissioner Lipana?" Gatchalian asked at the start of the budget deliberations.

Lipana has been on leave since Aug. 1 due to a medical condition and that his leave has been extended until Oct. 30 as he continues treatment abroad, COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba told the senators.

"Commissioner Lipana has been on...