AS LONG as he is in position, newly-appointed Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Jose Callangan Calida assured recently the public that the people’s money or the public funds will be safeguarded for good.
“We are not just acting to promote excellence but also to make it a habit here in COA. We have to do our job properly, be the best in our field,” Calida of Davao City said, adding that the government’s auditing agency will be transparent and fair to the public.
“COA auditors should correctly scrutinize and carefully inspect accounts. I believe they are the best in the field and we’re here to fight corruption in the government,” he added. “I am warning anybody in COA that if there are shenanigans and mischievous activities, I will remove them.”
The former Solicitor General under former President Rodrigo Duterte met for the first time the COA’s commissioners, lawyers, and other officials on Monday morning at the Quezon City main office.
Calida’s first day in the office appeared to be more different than the past chairpersons as he talked to the media during his first day in the office, saying that he would do whatever it takes to protect every single centavo of the people’s money.
Calida, who will be turning 72 on Thursday, also thanked the employees of COA for the warm welcome. “Those who are earnest in their works will remain in this office and will be rewarded.”
Jayke Joson, the former actor-producer, and Jay Ruiz, former news anchor and TV host, were also seen accompanying Chairman Calida on his first day at COA.
“We are here to help the new COA chairman to set up everything on his first day at the office. We believe in him that’s why we volunteer to give extra hand to help our Good Chairman on his first day. Atty. Calida is our idol. We call him the Enforcer because he always enforces the law,” Joson said.
“President Marcos appointed a very reliable person to COA. With his track record, he always gets the job done. He will not let us down.”
Newly-proclaimed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Calida to lead the COA due to his superb expertise in law and achievements when he was still heading the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) among other government agencies.