Duterte names new COA chief

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Rizalina Noval Justol as the new chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), the Palace confirmed Friday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said Justol's appointment papers were signed by the President last February 17.

"We wish Chairperson Justol success in COA," Nograles said.

"We assure her that the government will always be supportive of COA's efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of government funds," he added.

Prior to her appointment in COA, Justol served as Deputy Executive Secretary under Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Justo replaces former COA chief Michael Aguinaldo, whose term ended early this month.

Aguinaldo was also the COA chief when President Duterte said in January 2019 that state auditors should be kidnapped or tortured over COA's stringent rules on government spending.

Likewise, Duterte also said in September 2018 that local officials should defy COA circulars and told then-Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos to push COA personnel down the stairs after Marcos claimed that COA does not allow cash advance for purchase of GI sheets for typhoon victims. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News