Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><em><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768374581617Screen Shot 2026-01-14 at 3.04.06 PM_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">File photo from the Philippine Carabao Center website</span></span></span></em></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Audit exempted a Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) employee from paying the book value of a deceased dairy buffalo under one of the center’s programs, citing humanitarian considerations and in view of “apparent deficiencies in the implementation of the paiwi scheme” for the initiative. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/18/did-you-know-ph-has-two-types-of-carabaos-2018">Did you know: PH has two types of carabaos</a></div><p>The female buffalo valued at P191,527.81 died of pasture bloat back in April 2011 after being loaned to a farmer-recipient for the program &quot;25 Dairy Module.&quot;</p><p>Despite custody having been transferred, ownership remained with the PCC “and its accountability with certain PCC officials,” which was PCC Administrative Aide IV Haydee Sevilla, according to a COA decision dated January 2025.  </p><p>“The Commission pro hac vice exempts Mr. Sevilla from liability to pay the book value of the deceased buffalo based on humanitarian considerations and in view of the apparent deficiencies in the implementation of the paiwi scheme,” the decision reads.</p><p>“Requiring him to pay for the amount of the buffalo is highly inequitable considering his meager income. Most importantly, it was not shown from the records of the case that there was negligence on his part that resulted in the death of the buffalo. Rather, the death of the buffalo was due to natural cause,” the document signed by COA chairperson Gamalial Cordoba and COA commissioners Mario Lipana and Roland Pondoc said.</p><p>COA also urged PCC management to “re-examine the guidelines and procedures in the implementation of the paiwi scheme and other programs and adopt such measures and safeguards prescribed under existing laws, rules and regulations that will minimize, if not eradicate, losses, and that will provide adequate and reliable protection against any such loss.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>EARLIER REQUEST</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Back in January 2020, Sevillla filed a request for relief from property accountability with the audit team leader assigned at the PCC.</p><p>However, the regional director of COA Regional Office No. III denied this as the request was “filed beyond the reglementary period, or more than eight years of unreasonable delay.”</p><p>COA cited a 2021 COA RO No. III decision in also saying, “Mr. Sevilla was negligent. There are ways to control and prevent Pasture Bloat.&quot;</p><p>Following the 2021 decision, Sevilla filed a petition for review, citing the need for reconsideration “for just and humanitarian consideration.”</p><p>COA denied the petition, but affirmed with modification its 2021 decision, now exempting Sevilla from payment.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zW8-y3TiQx8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The female buffalo valued at P191,527.81 died of pasture bloat back in April 2011 after being loaned to a farmer-recipient for the program "25 Dairy Module."</p>

The female buffalo valued at P191,527.81 died of pasture bloat back in April 2011 after being loaned to a farmer-recipient for the program "25 Dairy Module."

COA exempts PCC employee from paying for buffalo that died during dairy program

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COA exempts PCC employee from paying for buffalo that died during dairy program

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 14, 2026 03:34 PM PHT

Read More:

COA

Philippine Carabao Center

buffalo

paiwi

25 Dairy Module

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