COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo receives a certificate of appreciation from the Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (ACIIA) after the plenary session held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City on 21-22 June 2018. ACIIA was represented by (from left) ACIIA Public Sector Forum for Internal Auditors Chairperson Helen T. de Guzman, Association of Government Internal Auditors President Josie Jane C. Ablir and Institute of Internal Auditors - Philippines Chairman and President Joseph Ian M. Canlas

Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo stressed the importance of collaboration between supreme audit institutions such as the COA and internal auditors in the public sector at the 1st Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors’ (ACIIA) Forum for Internal Auditors in the Public Sector held at the Philippine International Convention Center on 21 June 2018.

The regional forum, with the theme “Meeting Today’s Challenge: The Value of Internal Audit in the Public Sector,” aims to help public sector internal auditors in the Asian region meet the current challenges of internal audit service and to benchmark with peers to achieve greater efficiencies and value added service delivery. The ACIIA Forum was organized by the Institute of Internal Auditors - Philippines (IIA-P) in partnership with the Association of Government Internal Auditors (AGIA), Inc.

The Chairperson of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) promoted the whole system approach to public financial management (PFM) as well as encouraged the Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) to share its good practices in developing accounting and reporting systems aligned with international standards.

IPSASB Chairperson Ian Carruthers discussed developments in public financial management and updates on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at a recent forum jointly held by the COA and the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (BOA). IPSASB Deputy Director Ross Smith also gave updates on IPSAS while BOA Chairperson Joel L. Tan-Torres shared developments in the Philippine public accounting sector.

Around 150 COA officials and employees, representatives from the BOA, and some members of the board of directors of the Government Association of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Association for Government Budget Administration, Inc., and Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants participated in the event.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc bestow awards to former COA Commissioner Isabel D. Agito (3rd from left) and Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo at the COA Salutes the Best program on 7 May 2018. Former Commissioner Agito was given a special citation for her distinguished and dedicated service as Commissioner from 2016-2018 while Assistant Commissioner Castillo was awarded the Gawad Bilang Katangi-tanging Pinuno for her pioneering work and exemplary leadership in mainstreaming gender and development in the programs of COA.

The celebration of the Commission on Audit's (COA) 119th founding anniversary focused on delivering meaningful public service and helping improve the lives of the Filipino people.

COA’s week-long celebration was highlighted by the COA Salutes the Best program honoring exemplary COA officials and employees for their unwavering display of courage, integrity, and loyalty in the performance of their duties as public servants. The recognition program was held at the COA Sports and Cultural Complex on 07 May 2018.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc receive tokens from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during the close-out ceremony for USAID’s Integrity for Investments Initiative (i3) held at the COA CP Board Room on 13 April 2018. USAID was represented by Office of Economic Development and Governance (OEDG) Deputy Director Leslie Schaefer and Ms. Ria Orca. Also present were Ms. Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers, Chief of Party and Mr. Daniel Lee, Deputy Chief of Party of I3.

The Commission on Audit (COA) acknowledged the contribution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Integrity for Investments Initiative (I3) in helping boost the COA’s anti-corruption thrusts and audit operations during the close out ceremony held on 13 April 2018 at the COA CP Board Room. The USAID I3 supported the anti-corruption efforts of the Philippine government, primarily of the COA and the Office of the Ombudsman. The I3 assisted in the effective enforcement of anti-corruption laws by improving skills, policies, and systems. The goal of the I3 was to contribute to inclusive growth by reducing the costs of corruption to investments and trade, and promoting open and fair competition.