Commission on Audit

Officials of the Commission on Audit (COA) welcome civil society delegates of the Integrity Watch Afghanistan during a learning visit in the country from 25 to 27 June 2018. They discussed the design and implementation of the COA’s Citizen Participatory Audit program.
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.
(From left to right) Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, 7th district of Cavite Congressman Abraham N. Tolentino, COA Regional Office IV-A Director Mario G. Lipana, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-A Director Samson L. Hebra during the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the COA International Training Center in Tagaytay City on 21 June 2018.
COA participants at the Technical Evaluation of Infrastructure Project workshop after their successful training held at the Professional and Institutional Development Sector on 20 June 2018.
International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board Chairperson Ian Carruthers (far right) accepts a token from Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc while COA Assistant Commissioner for the Government Accountancy Sector Lourdes M. Castillo and Board of Accountancy Chairperson Joel L. Tan-Torres look on during the forum on public sector accounting and financial reporting held on 31 May 2018 at the COA Professional Development Center Auditorium.
(From left to right) Royal Audit Authority (RAA) of Bhutan Assistant Auditor General Dorji Wangchuk, Ms. Sharon C. Contarciego, Ms. Ma. Theresa S. Alfanza, RAA Bhutan Senior Dzongkha Coordinator Namgay Lhendup, RAA Bhutan Senior Audit Officer Tashi Lhamo, COA Assistant Commissioner Luz L. Tolentino, RAA Bhutan Deputy Auditor General Prem Mani Pradhan, RAA Bhutan Program Officer Kangchen Karma, Ms. Arlexandria Louise F. Cariño of the Office of the COA Commissioner, RAA Bhutan Assistant Auditor General Kencho Dorji, and RAA Bhutan Program Officer Sangay Tenzin during RAA officials’ study visit on 30 May 2018.
Commission on Audit (COA) officials welcome students from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance during their study visit on 22 May 2018
Ms. Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers, Chief of Party, Integrity for Investments Initiative, Philippines, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), receives a certificate of appreciation from the Commission on Audit presented by COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, COA Commissioner Jose A. Fabia, and Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc during the close-out ceremony for USAID’s Integrity for Investments Initiative (i3)
COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo signs the Internal Auditing Standards for the Philippine Public Sector (IASPPS) with Philippine Application Guidelines (PAG) and Internal Control Standards for the Philippine Public Sector (ICSPPS) during the launch of the Standards at the Commission on Audit on 12 April 2018. Witnesses to the signing are COA Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc and officials of the Association of Government Internal Auditors and Institute of Internal Auditors – Philippines.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission partners with COA to strengthen coordination in anti-corruption efforts

Details: Published: 08 October 2018

Quezon City – The Commission on Audit (COA) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) formed a partnership to strengthen coordination and cooperation in both agencies’ anti-corruption efforts.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and PACC Chairperson Dante La. Jimenez signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 2 October 2018 at the COA Commission Proper Boardroom. COA Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc, COA Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano and PACC Executive Director Eduardo V. Bringas witnessed the signing.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and PACC Chairperson Dante La. Jimenez sign the Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the anti-corruption efforts of both agencies. COA Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc, COA Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano and PACC Executive Director Eduardo V. Bringas witnessed the signing.

The MOA calls for collaborative efforts and harmonized approach for both agencies in the performance of their respective mandates. It covers, in the area of coordination and cooperation- referral of information, consultative meetings, continuing review and joint task force on matters within their jurisdiction.

“The purpose of the MOA is to strengthen the cooperation and coordination between our agencies intended to benefit both in terms of the performance of our respective mandates. The main point is to be able to provide relevant information between us that will help us do our jobs better,” Chairperson Aguinaldo said.

“We will take this MOA by heart and this will be one of our bibles in instituting a corrupt-free bureaucracy,” noted Chairman Jimenez. He stressed the importance of the joint task force and noted that many of the complaints the Commission submitted to the President have many COA findings. Chairman Jimenez also announced that he will be having an Ulat sa Bayan on 4 October 2018.

Created on 4 October 2017 through Executive Order No. 43, the PACC’s powers and functions include the hearing and investigation of administrative cases against appointees with Salary Grade 26 and above as well as the conduct of fact-finding inquiries and lifestyle checks against all covered presidential appointees and other public officers allegedly involved in graft and corrupt practices.

COA PSAO in Laguna - A symbol of independence and interdependence

Details: Published: 04 October 2018

The Commission on Audit (COA) and the City Government of Calamba, Laguna entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 26 September 2018 to officially start the construction of a COA Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) in Laguna which is to be considered a symbol of COA’s independence and interdependence.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco signed the MOA for the usufruct of parcel of land intended for the COA PSAO in Laguna. The signing was witnessed by Regional Director Mario G. Lipana of COA Regional Office No. IV-A and Calamba City Administrator Allan D. Zacarias.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco show off the signed Memorandum of Agreement for the piece of land intended for the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Calamba. The signing was witnessed by COA Regional Director Mario G. Lipana and Calamba City Administrator Allan D. Zacarias. Also in picture are Calamba Vice Mayor Roseller H. Rizal and City Councilor Moises E. Morales.

COA auditor among 2018 outstanding public servants

Details: Published: 28 September 2018

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) recognized State Auditor Romel C. Espiña of the Commission on Audit (COA) Regional Office No. XIII, Butuan City among the country’s outstanding public servants. The CSC conferred on Auditor Espiña the Dangal ng Bayan Award for exemplary conduct and ethical behavior. He was among ten recipients of the award.

Auditor Espiña was cited for “steadfastly upholding honesty, integrity, competence, and patriotism in the performance of his functions. His strong commitment in pursuing the Commission on Audit’s fight against graft and corruption resulted in the suspension of government officials and recovery of public funds amounting to millions of pesos in the municipalities placed under his watch.”

The Dangal ng Bayan award is conferred to an individual for performance of an extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of his observance of the eight norms of behavior provided under Republic Act No. 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”

In last year’s COA Salutes the Best program, the Commission conferred on Auditor Espiña the Gawad Kagitingan for his demonstration of unusual courage and bravery in the discharge of audit work. Auditor Espiña faced the challenges of going to his place of assignment located at distant island municipalities, often experiencing perilous trips because of bad weather.

Dangal ng Bayan recipient State Auditor Romel C. Espiña of COA Regional Office No. XIII with Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Isabel D. Agito (ret.) and Regional Director Usmin P. Diamel in last year’s COA Salutes the Best program where he was conferred the Gawad Kagitingan award.