Heidi Mendoza designated as COA OIC

MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza has been named as the acting chairperson of the constitutional body following the retirement of Grace Pulido Tan. 

The designation of Mendoza, effective until a permanent replacement is appointed, was announced through a resolution posted on the COA website that can only be accessed by employees.

The link to the resolution read, “Resolution on the Designation of Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza as Officer-in-Charge of the Commission on Audit Pending the Appointment of a Permanent Chairperson.”

The online directory of COA also names Mendoza as the current officer-in-charge. Mendoza was appointed to the post on Tuesday, February 3, a report from GMA News said. 

During Tan’s 4-year term that ended on February 2, she was credited for producing the groundbreaking special audit report on lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that exposed what has been known as the biggest corruption scandal to hit the Philippines in recent history. 

As COA Commissioner, Mendoza served as an expert witness during the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said Mendoza helped analyze Corona’s dollar accounts. (READ: CV of Heidi Mendoza)

She is also a government witness in the trial of Elenita Binay before the anti-graft Sandiganbayan on corruption charges over dubious transactions that Makati City allegedly entered into when the wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay was still city mayor. 

Mendoza shot to fame after serving an instrumental role in the probe into corruption allegations against two former Armed Forces of the Philippines –  Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot. – Rappler.com