“Mira Millions” Audit Complete, Findings Still Under Wraps

The first audit into the so-called “Mira Millions” scandal is now complete, but the public will have to wait a little longer to learn what investigators uncovered. Auditor General Maria Rodriguez has wrapped up a ninety-day review of questionable procurement practices at the Ministry of Defense under former ministers Florencio Marin Jr. and Oscar Mira, both of whom remain sidelined from Cabinet. Rodriguez will hold an exit meeting with CEO Francis Usher before submitting her initial report next week. Prime Minister John Briceño, however, says the completed report may not arrive until the end of February 2027.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We have not gotten the report from the auditor general. I spoke with Minister Henry Charles Usher yesterday and he said that what he was told through the public service is that she would probably have a preliminary report sometime this month and apparently she will not have her report completed until the end of February.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Now, the ninety-day period for the audit to have been conducted has since elapsed. What’s the fate of Oscar Mira at this point and what happens at Home Affairs with Julius Espat as the minister?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well, I think that Minister Espat has been doing a good job. He has brought in renewed energy. I think that Oscar Mira was also doing a good job in the ministry of the police. But sometimes you need to bring in somebody that just has this, can do, “Hey, mek wih just get this done. Knock down di house and build it up again kinda thing. And Julius is, and I mean it as a compliment, that he has an ability to go in and [say] “Dis noh di work. Mek wih get things done.” And so, with his experience as an architect, he’s a good manager, I think that we’ve seen the police, a lot of improvements in the police [department] but before I could answer on Oscar Mira, I think we just need to wait for the report.”

 

While Julius Espat earns praise for shaking things up at Home Affairs, the Prime Minister says the audit will ultimately determine what comes next for Oscar Mira.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: