Newly-appointed Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Jose C. Calida formally assumed office as Chairperson on Monday, 4 July 2022. He was warmly welcomed by COAns led by Commissioner Mario G. Lipana.
In a briefing with senior COA officials, Chairperson Calida assured the careful scrutiny of government accounts and warned auditors against shenanigans. “COA auditors should correctly scrutinize and carefully inspect accounts. But be careful. I am warning anybody in COA that if there are shenanigan and mischievous activities, I will boot them out. But those who are earnest in their work will remain in this Office,” he said.
Chairperson Calida invoked the same “win, win, win” mantra of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for the Commission, reminding everyone that the OSG had won all cases filed in the Supreme Court during his stint as Solicitor General. He also vowed to reward valiant COA officials and those who work hard.
Prior to his appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Chairperson Calida served as Solicitor General under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte since July 2016. He served as Undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2001 to 2004. As DOJ Undersecretary, he was in-charge of the National Bureau of Investigation, Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, DOJ National Task Force on Terrorism and Internal Security, and DOJ Task Force on Financial Fraud and Money Laundering. He was also head of the DOJ Action Center which extends free counseling and assistance to the public, especially to indigents.