Ex-telecom regulator named to audit body

Logo and facade of the Commission on Audit (COA) building.

President Marcos has appointed lawyer Gamaliel Cordoba, a former National Telecommunications Commission official, as chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), replacing resigned COA chair Jose Calida.

READ: Bongbong Marcos picks SolGen Jose Calida as COA chair

Undersecretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said Cordoba would serve a constitutionally-prescribed seven-year term, or until 2029, after he is confirmed by the congressional Commission on Appointments. But he already took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon.

Calida resigned as COA chair early October along with the resignation of former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who confirmed the resignation of the two officials on Oct. 4, said Angeles resigned for health reasons, but he did not specify Calida’s reason.

“He tendered his resignation for many reasons but it’s up to him to later explain to you or publish to you what were his reasons … We accepted that [resignation] with regret and we commended him for his patriotism for serving for a short while,” Bersamin told reporters.

Prior to being appointed as COA chair, Calida was solicitor general during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.