Logo and facade of the Commission on Audit (COA) building.
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed an official of Malacañang as the new chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA).
On Friday, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles announced that Duterte has appointed Rizalina Justol as the new COA head.
Justol had served as Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration (DESFA) under the Office of the President.
She would replace Michael Aguinaldo whose term ended on February 2.
Nograles said Duterte signed Justol’s appointment papers on Thursday, February 17.
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“Malacañang expresses its sincerest congratulations to Rizalina Noval Justol on her appointment as chairperson of the COA,” he said in a Palace briefing.
“We wish Chairperson Justol success in COA and assure her that the government will always be supportive of COA’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of government funds,” Nograles added.
Before her appointment as DESFA, Justol was the accountant of the Davao City local government unit. Davao City is Duterte’s hometown. Duterte served as longtime mayor of the city prior to being elected president in 2016.
This is the second time this year that Duterte promoted Palace officials to higher positions in the government. Last month, Duterte appointed former Deputy Executive Secretary Michael Ong as the new Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice.
But Nograles assured that Duterte chose his appointees based on “experience, credential, achievements, and accomplishments.”
“For positions like sa COA chair and for many high positions, apart from the appointment, dadaan pa rin naman ng proseso ng confirmation ( it will still go thrugh the process of confirmation),” he explained.
In 2010, Justol and Duterte faced malversation charges for allegedly misusing P2.93 billion in public funds from 2003-2006.
Vacancies in Comelec
As for vacancies at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Nograles said Duterte is yet to pick from among candidates.
Three positions are currently vacant at the Comelec after poll body Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. retired this month, just three months away from the general elections on May 9.
READ: Critical scenario: 3 Comelec vacancies just 3 months before elections
“President Duterte is still selecting from the list of candidates, may vetting process ‘yan (it has vetting process), of course, the President knows the importance and urgency of appointing these very important officials,” Nograles said.
“Hintayin natin (Let’s wait for it). Lalabas na rin ‘yan (It will be released). May listahan na vine-vet, may vetting process na dinadaanan ‘yan (There is a list being vetted, it goes through a vetting proccess), then soon the President will make the appointment,” he added.
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