Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc presented COA’s audit case during the audit examples session on "Resilience and Adaptation in Government Sectors" on the first day of the XXI International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Auditing Assembly in Ukulhas, Maldives.

Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc represented the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of the Philippines during the XXI International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA) Assembly with the theme, "Raising Resilience" held in Ukulhas, Maldives from 4 to 6 July 2022.

The Assembly focused on climate resilience and climate change adaptation in the auditing context as well as important environmental auditing topics such as climate finance, plastic waste, and sustainable transport. It also marked WGEA's 30th anniversary.

Commission on Audit Assistant Commissioner Cora Lea A. Dela Cruz and Mr. Paul Jonel J. Pollicar (9th and 10th from left, front row) of the Professional and Institutional Development Sector join colleagues from participating Supreme Audit Institutions of Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Jamaica, Morocco, South Africa, Uganda, the United States of America (USA), and Zambia, the Department of Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the International Budget Partnership during the first day of the in-person review meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA. || (Photo credits: DPIDG/UNDESA)

“Budgets are generally considered to be ’credible’ when governments implement their revenue and spending plans as budgeted. The ability of a government to meet its revenue and expenditure targets during a financial year determines the credibility of the budget approved by the legislature.” - Department of Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the International Budget Partnership

Commission on Audit (COA) officials and personnel attended the review meeting for the development of the handbook on Supreme Audit Institutions’ (SAIs) contribution to strengthening budget credibility through external audits held both virtually and in person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on 14-17 June 2022.

Newly-appointed Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Jose C. Calida formally assumed office as Chairperson on Monday, 4 July 2022. He was warmly welcomed by COAns led by Commissioner Mario G. Lipana.

In a briefing with senior COA officials, Chairperson Calida assured the careful scrutiny of government accounts and warned auditors against shenanigans. “COA auditors should correctly scrutinize and carefully inspect accounts. But be careful. I am warning anybody in COA that if there are shenanigan and mischievous activities, I will boot them out. But those who are earnest in their work will remain in this Office,” he said.

Chairperson Calida invoked the same “win, win, win” mantra of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for the Commission, reminding everyone that the OSG had won all cases filed in the Supreme Court during his stint as Solicitor General. He also vowed to reward valiant COA officials and those who work hard.

Prior to his appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Chairperson Calida served as Solicitor General under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte since July 2016. He served as Undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2001 to 2004. As DOJ Undersecretary, he was in-charge of the National Bureau of Investigation, Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, DOJ National Task Force on Terrorism and Internal Security, and DOJ Task Force on Financial Fraud and Money Laundering. He was also head of the DOJ Action Center which extends free counseling and assistance to the public, especially to indigents.