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Ex-COA chief to Duterte: Give us respect because we deserve it


Former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza on Monday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to respect the government's auditors after the latter criticized the agency and ordered local officials to "defy" its circulars.

In a Facebook post, Mendoza stressed that COA is a "long-standing and dignified institution," adding that some of its personnel even laid down their lives "defending and protecting public coffers."

"We are a constitutional Commission and not one of the past honorable presidents of our land has called on another institution subject under our authority to defy our rules," Mendoza said.

"Give us respect for we deserve it. Government exists not only because of efficiency but also because of dignity... They both fall on our shoulders and even if I'm already retired, I still abide with those as my code of conduct just like most if not all COA Auditors I have worked with and I have known!" Mendoza said.

At a post-typhoon briefing in Ilocos Norte on Sunday, the Chief Executive slammed the agency, even saying that COA employees should be pushed down the stairs after Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said that COA does not allow cash advances for the purchase of building materials such as GI sheets.

"Sino ang taga-COA dito? Ihulog mo sa hagdanan para hindi maka-report. Maniwala ka diyan COA na 'yan," Duterte declared, as Marcos laughed and clapped her hands, saying "Yes,  yes, yes."

Duterte also claimed that COA has not contributed to national development.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque defended Duterte, saying that the President only expressed his concern on spending limitations with regard to the delivery of humanitarian assistance in times of crisis. — BM, GMA News

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