CoA flags Senate’s overtime payments

The Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged the Senate’s overtime payment policies for employees for failing to comply with established guidelines for government personnel.

In its annual audit for 2025, state auditors found that the Senate had failed to reform its protocols for overtime payments, noting that the same issue had been raised in the previous year’s audit.

CoA said the Senate had granted overtime pay to employees who failed to complete the required 40 regular working hours while rendering at least two hours of authorized overtime service.

“Since the Senate observed a four-day workweek with employees rendering 10 hours per day, any absence on a given day results in non-completion of the 40-hour requirement,” the report read.

“For CY 2025, Senate employees received overtime pay for services rendered during the week even when they incurred absences,” it added.

State auditors said the practice contradicted pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Commission and Department of Budget and Management Joint Circular 02, Series of 2015.