Dr. Jessie Rose D. Mabutas, Ph.D., the Director of the
Commission on Audit’s International Audit Division in New York and head of
External Audit, UN Board of Auditors, in the early 90s, is now the No. 2 highest
official of the United Nations World Food Programme.
The World Food Programme is the UN’s Food Aid Organization
and the world body’s front-line agency in the continuing fight against global
hunger. In 1999 alone, it extended food aid to some 83 million people in 83
countries, including most of the world’s refugees and internally displace
people.
In a news release sent to COA News, recently, the
Rome-based WFP announced Ms. Mabutas’ appointment as its Assistant Executive
Director for Administration.
Ms. Mabutas, according to the WFP, is the first Filipino and
the only woman so far to have been appointed to the high WFP post.
As Assistant Executive Director for Administration, Ms.
Mabutas now has a wide range of responsibilities, including the overall
management of four key WFP divisions - finance, information systems and
technology, management services and human resources. She also plays an important
role as adviser to the programme’s Executive Director on the policies and
strategies for her four divisions.
“I am very pleased to have a woman with such sterling
credentials helping steer WFP,” said Executive Director Bertini in announcing
Ms. Mabutas’ recent appointment.
“Jesse Rose brings a solid expertise and wealth of
experience to this new post in the programme and I look forward to the
achievements she will effect,” the Executive Director added.
A Certified Public Accountant, Ms. Mabutas joined the WFP in
August 1994 as its Director of Internal Audit. In November 1999, she was named
Director of Finance and Information Systems Division, the position she held
until her recent appointment as WFP Assistant Executive Director.
Jesse Rose, as she is fondly called by friends and former
colleagues in COA, really has the sterling credentials that qualify her to the
various highly responsible positions she has held both in the Philippines and
overseas.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree
(Accounting major) from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1974 and passed the
board examinations for CPAs that same year.
In 1980 she was conferred a masteral degree in government
management (MGM) by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
The year 1984 saw Jesse Rose receive her Master of Public
Administration degree and, in 1987, her Doctor in Philosophy degree both from
the University of Southern California, USA.
Prior to her deployment abroad as COA director, Ms. Mabutas
had already acquired vast experience in accountancy and auditing.
Upon her graduation from the UST in 1974 she joined the
Carlos J. Valdez & Co., CPAs as Junior Auditor. She was Senior Auditor
before 1976 when she decided to become the Chief of Internal Audit of the
Medical City General Hospital in Manila.
She joined the Commission on Audit in December 1977 as
Auditor III. She was promoted Supervising Auditor and then Division Chief during
the next four years.
Jesse Rose was named Assistant Director in March 1982, the
position she held until December of that year when she left for California, USA
for a 3 1/2-year study leave (January 1983 to June 1987).
Upon her return to the Philippines, Ms. Mabutas was named
Chief of Staff, Office of the COA Chairman.
Promoted Director in 1988, she was named head of the
Planning, Financial and Management Office and, in July 1990 she assumed as
Director of the Information Technology Center.
Jesse Rose is married to Dr. Marianito C. Mabutas. They have
three children: Dr. Jhoanna Marinette, M.D., Jessie Marilette, and Marianito Jr.
