Heidi Mendoza a woman of integrity, says Palace on UN job

Heidi Mendoza. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday hailed the United Nation’s decision to appoint Heidi Mendoza, acting chief of the Commission on Audit (COA), as its undersecretary general for internal oversight services.

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“Iba talaga ang Pinoy. Nakita po natin ang kanyang competence sa Commission on Audit, ang kanyang reputation as a woman of integrity,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.

(Filipinos are really unique. We have seen her competence in the Commission on Audit, her reputation as a woman of integrity.)

“We have seen her work in the Commission on Audit and it certainly brings pride and honor to our country that she was considered to head the oversight body in the UN,” he added.

Lacierda pointed out that the Philippine government did not endorse Mendoza and that the offer came from the UN.

“It was an acknowledgment of the role and the performance of Heidi Mendoza in her role as COA commissioner,” he said.

Once the UN General Assembly formally approves her appointment, Mendoza will serve a five-year term. She will replace Carmen Lapointe from Canada whose term ended in September.

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The Office of Internal Oversight Services helps the UN secretary-general fulfill his oversight responsibilities through internal audit, monitoring, inspection, evaluation and investigation services.

The UN, in a statement, recognized Mendoza as an auditor who has served government for 20 years and has specialized in “audit, investigation, fraud examination, anticorruption and integrity advocacy.”

Mendoza made headlines in 2011 when he testified before the House of Representatives about the misuse of funds in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). She was appointed as COA commissioner in 2011 by President Benigno Aquino III.

Because of her work, she has been criticized by certain groups, including Vice President Jejomar Binay who accused her for being the attack dog of former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.