Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo received the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) during its 51st commencement exercise held on 27 March 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The conferment was for his exemplary and unwavering work in promoting good governance and observance of the rule of law in public service. The resolution was signed by Dr. Benjamin I. Espiritu, Chairman of the Board of Regents and Dr. Ma. Leonora V. de Jesus, Vice Chairman of Board of Regents and University President, attested by Atty. Rufino V. Abuda, Acting University and Board Secretary.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo is conferred the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Chairman of the Board of Regents Dr. Benjamin I. Espiritu and University President Dr. Ma. Leonora V. De Jesus.

Thanking PLM and its officials, Chairperson Aguinaldo said that he is truly honored and humbled to accept the honorary doctoral degree. “I hope to continue to live up to your expectations and whatever criteria you may have used to grant me this honor,” he said.

Chairperson Aguinaldo reminded the graduates to carry the core values of the PLM as a tool in facing the real world. “As iskolars ng bayan, you also have the social responsibility to contribute to the betterment of our country,” he said.

Chairperson Aguinaldo also talked about the importance of living a life of integrity and honesty in work and in one’s life. He encouraged everyone to serve with integrity whether in public service or in the private sector. 

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) conferred on the Commission on Audit (COA) the Maturity Level II under the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) recently.

The Certificate of Recognition recognizes COA’s efforts in pursuing excellence by intensifying its structures and methods in the field of Human Resource Management (HRM) particularly on four HRM systems: recruitment, selection, and placement; learning and development; performance management; and rewards and recognition.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo (center) shows the certificate of recognition affirming COA’s Maturity Level II under the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management. With him are Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc, CSC Director Dick N. Echavez, COA Assistant Commissioners, and officials and employees of the Professional and Institutional Development and Planning, Finance and Management Sectors and the Human Resource Management Office.

The program seeks to empower government agencies by developing their human resource management competencies, systems, and practices toward HR excellence.

Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Jose A. Fabia emphasized the role of audit in governance at the Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business (PCDEB)’s 118th Founding Anniversary held at the AG New World Manila Bay Hotel on 22 February 2019. PCDEB’s anniversary theme was "Bringing Business Education in a Transformative Era."

Commissioner Fabia said audit ensures accountability which plays a major role in governance.

"For you to be accountable, there is always a system of accountability that is inside your own institutions which you submit every year to the Securities and Exchange Commission. If you're in government, on the other hand, you are also accountable and your accountability is measured and examined by the Commission on Audit," Commissioner Fabia pointed out.

Commissioner Fabia detailed the role of COA in the audit of government funds, explaining the various audits COA performs and the quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers of COA to make sure that there is accountability in the government. He also described the role of the Commission Proper in promulgating rules and regulations for accounting and auditing that is in accordance with international standards and said that COA has to determine the checks and balances within the organization to make sure that there is good governance existing in all government agencies. "We have to make sure that all officials in government who hold money and make decisions about money are accountable for the money that they spent," Commissioner Fabia added.