The article clarifies that an unmodified audit opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) does not automatically mean Vice President Sara Duterte has been cleared of wrongdoing.

While the OVP received its fourth consecutive unmodified opinion for fiscal year 2025, this only indicates that financial statements were fairly presented, not that public funds were lawfully spent or officials were free of misconduct.The COA emphasized that compliance with laws and efficiency in fund usage are assessed through separate compliance and performance audits.

Despite the unmodified opinion, the OVP faces ongoing scrutiny, including disallowances of P73 million and P375 million in confidential funds due to insufficient documentation.These disallowances are part of the impeachment complaint against Duterte, which is currently under review in the Senate.

The article warns against misinterpreting audit opinions as legal clearances, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between financial reporting accuracy and legal accountability.