COA’s new head vows: We’ll enable gov’t to work better

Former NTC Commissioner now head of the Commission on Audit Atty. Gamaliel Cordoba. Senate PRIB Photo (FILE)

MANILA, Philippines — The new head of the Commission on Audit (COA) has reminded the agency’s employees about the importance of their work, saying that they should be able to enable the government to do its job better.

New COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said in his first flag-raising ceremony that the role of state auditors has become crucial now, as the government should maximize the available resources to help the country recover from the economic woes.

“[COA’s role now has become crucial because] resources must be spent by the government economically, efficiently and expeditiously,” Cordoba told COA employees.

“The Commission should facilitate this by enabling agencies to do their jobs better. We will be partners in rebuilding our country. We will be enablers,” he added.

To do that, Cordoba enjoined COA employees to work cohesively to scrutinize the government’s financial transactions and at the same time, earn the public’s trust.

“[COA should] work as a single formidable unit, encouraging ourselves to bring out the best in each of us. We shall constantly strive to earn the public’s trust as the Commission fulfills its mandates, upholding an honest, professional and dignified approach to all our daily tasks,” he said.

Cordoba was named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the new COA chairperson, following the exit of the former chair and former solicitor general, Jose Calida.  Calida resigned last October 4, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, noting that the former COA head gave many reasons.

The new COA chair would serve a seven-year term, or until 2029.

READ: Jose Calida resigns as COA chair 

Prior to being appointed at COA, Cordoba was a commissioner at the National Telecommunications Commission.

READ: NTC’s Gamaliel Cordoba named as new COA chairman 

JPV/abc