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Aquino confirms Heidi Mendoza's return to COA


President Benigno Simeon Aquino III confirmed that Heidi Mendoza, a former state auditor and a whistle-blower on military corruption, will soon return to the Commission on Audit (COA). “So pagbalik niya, sa palagay ko as a minimum she will be a COA commissioner," Aquino told reporters on Thursday in Singapore where he is conducting a state visit. (When she returns, I think, at the least, she will be a COA commissioner.) Aquino said he has yet to talk with Mendoza after their meeting in February. During the meeting, Mendoza told Aquino that she has to consult her family if she will accept the administration’s invitation for her to return to government service. “Nung kinausap ko siya isa sa pinagdiinan niya nung nagdesisyon siyang maging testigo hindi niya pinaalam sa pamilya nya so sabi niya ‘kailangan kong konsultahin ang aking pamilya’," the President said. (When I spoke with her, she emphasized that when she decided to become a witness, she did not consult her family and this time, she said she has to consult her family.) Waiting for Aquino's arrival Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the post to be offered to Mendoza will be discussed when Aquino arrives from his state visits. “There will be an opportunity to discuss with the President as to his decision on what to offer Heidi," he told GMA News Online over the phone on Friday. He said the decision will come either from the meeting between the President and Mendoza or a meeting between Mendoza and Cabinet members who have spoken with her in the past. Lacierda said he cannot say when the meeting could take place. He added that President has always considered Mendoza to be part of COA “because that is where her strength is—in auditing." Mendoza jobless Mendoza is now jobless after leaving her post at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to testify in congressional hearings against former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who is facing plunder charges. Mendoza had followed the money trail of transactions by Garcia, who is facing a P303-million plunder suit at the Sandiganbayan. Mendoza appeared at several congressional hearings on the alleged corruption in the military. She also hogged the headlines when she accused his former colleagues in the Commission on Audit of being “politicized." – VVP, GMA News