DID YOU KNOW: 119th anniversary of Commission on Audit

Today, May 8, is the 119th anniversary of the Commission on Audit (COA).

On May 8, 1899, US President William McKinley signed an unnumbered memorandum that gave birth to the Office of the Auditor for the Philippines.

In 1901, the name of the office was changed to Bureau of the Insular Auditor.

It was again renamed in 1935 to the General Auditing Office (GAO).

Under the 1973 Constitution, GAO became the Commission on Audit. —Justine Mirandilla, Inquirer Intern