Aquino names Heidi Mendoza CoA commissioner; ex-Finance exec named CoA chair

MANILA, Philippines—Whistleblower Heidi Mendoza will be back with her old colleagues at the Commission on Audit.

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Mendoza as commissioner to the CoA, as well as former Finance Undersecretary Grace Tan as CoA chair, Malacañang announced on Tuesday.

Tan will replace Reynaldo Villar, whose term as head of the CoA, expired last February 2, according to Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang.

Mendoza will assume the post left by Commissioner Evelyn San Buenaventura.

Mr. Aquino had earlier said he will offer Mendoza the job of CoA commissioner.

Mendoza had been instrumental in helping prosecute former military comptroller, retired Major General Carlos Garcia in his plunder case before the Sandiganbayan. She blew the whistle on how Garcia stashed away millions in his personal accounts.

It was initially a lonely fight for her when she testified her audit findings before the Sandigan. But this all changed when it was learned that Garcia’s plunder case had been  reduced to bribery and money laundering as a result of a plea bargain deal he entered into with the Office of the Ombudsman last year.

Mendoza resurfaced in the ensuing Congressional hearings that investigated the plea bargain deal where she again testified against Garcia.