Heidi Mendoza to go back to COA if Aquino wants her to

MANILA, Philippines—In a sign of renewed faith in government, former state auditor Heidi Mendoza, the whistle-blower on military corruption, announced Wednesday night that she was willing to go back to public service to heed a growing public clamor.

When asked what post, she said she would take any offered her. And if the President wants her to go back to the Commission on Audit (COA), she would readily accept.

“If that’s really what the President and the people want, I’m willing to go back to the COA,” said Mendoza, clad in a belted white dress and yellow sandals.

Mendoza, who had left the COA out of frustration in 2005, made the announcement Wednesday night during the “Mass for Truth Telling” held at the Ateneo de Manila University Gesu Chapel in Quezon City.

President Benigno Aquino III said earlier that he was open to inviting Mendoza back to government service, but she had been reluctant.

“In the presence of 12 priests, with the addition of a bishop, I’m saying yes, I’m willing to go back to government,” Mendoza said to the applause of the congregation.

Some 500 people, all clad in white, attended the Mass officiated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and a dozen priests. Among those who prayed with Mendoza were former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, former special prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio, former military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa and former military officer Ariel Querubin.

Endorsed for COA chair

For Marcelo, the former Ombudsman, there is no better post for Mendoza than the COA, where she had discovered many cases of irregularities, including the conversion of military funds.

“We hope she’ll be appointed as the COA chair,” said Marcelo, who had worked closely with Mendoza in investigating the plunder case against former military comptroller Carlos Garcia.

He said she had been nominated to the COA post in 2008 but was edged out. Marcelo said Mendoza was the best for the post as she was already familiar with the structure and could effect changes during the fixed seven-year term.

“It’s really difficult, but she can do it. It can be done,” he said.

“I’m reluctant up to now. Pero nahihiya ako sa maraming tao. Marami pong sumusulat, nagpapahayag, pero kung ’di po ako i-appoint, OK pa rin (I am embarrassed, many write to express support but if I’m not appointed, it’s OK),” Mendoza later told reporters at the end of the hour-and-a-half Mass.

“Before I’m even appointed, I will write a resignation letter. I will give this to key sectors: the Church, business, civil society, students, so that if, at any one point, [they think] I’m not performing my duty, any one of them can bring the letter to my office and I will vacate the post,” said Mendoza.

During the Mass, Mendoza and Rabusa led candle-lighting rites as a symbol of passing on the courage and determination to stand for the truth.

“To me, this is symbolic, because I know that I have a flickering light and I cannot keep the candle burning. I need you to pass on the light so that we can conquer darkness,” Mendoza said before lighting the first candle.

Pabillo also called on the people to show a greater support for truth-tellers, noting that those who back people like Mendoza and Rabusa are “soft-spoken” and “timid” in showing encouragement.

“They can’t do this by themselves. Our role is important to show them, those in authority, the whole nation, that there are people who stand for people who make a stand,” said Pabillo.