Magandang Buhay sa ating Lahat! I would like to start by thanking our Almighty Father for this tremendous blessing as I celebrated my 65th Birthday with my family and friends last January 30 and now a Virtual Retirement Party with your presence.

As I end my service with the Commission On Audit, allow me to give the highest honor and credit to God for this great privilege of serving the government for 41 years and 5 months to be exact. This splendid opportunity which I considered “Mission Accomplished,” since it made my journey not only meaningful and self-fulfilling, but also a purpose driven life.

Some might disagree but as Christians, I believe that we were made for a Mission. We are the messengers of God’s Love and purposes to the world because He wants us to be redeemed from evil and reconcile to Himself. We need to share Jesus and the joy of having him in our lives, particularly to unbelievers. If we commit to fulfil our mission in life no matter what it cost, we will experience the incredible blessings from God in ways that few people ever experienced. God will give all what we need if we live for Him and make the Kingdom of God our priority.

As a Public Servant of COA on the other hand, our mission is to ensure accountability for public resources, promote transparency and help improve government operations, in partnership with stakeholders, for the benefit of the Filipino people. Therefore, we have the duty to protect the resources of the government and ensure strict adherence to the rules and regulations. We should do our jobs with utmost honesty and integrity. We will only be efficient and effective public servants if we lead by example and guide people to the path of righteousness.

And for that mission, may I share with you some of my significant Accomplishments in COA (The Details were shown in my PDS under Annex B3 to B5):

A. From CY 1988 to CY 2010

  1. Conducted 24 Special Audit Investigations with a total amount of P 166,158,815.10
  2. Conducted Cash Examination to 17 Accountable Officers with a total Shortages of P4,560,846.42
  3. Served as Witness to 15 Criminal Cases filed at Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan based on the Special Audit Investigation conducted.
  4. Served also as Witness to 18 Criminal and Administrative Cases filed at Ombudsman for Mindanao and Regional Trial Court based on Cash Examination Report submitted

B. From CY 2005 to CY 2010

  1. Issued 232 Notices  of  Disallowances  with  a total amount of P 33,533,468.86
  2. Issued 8 Notices of Charges with a total amount of P1,715,466.08

The above accomplishments can’t be achieved without the guidance of our Divine Providence and the Holy Spirit. The use of Auditorial Contract Review Analysis Sheet (ACRAS)  and Analysis Sheet for Inspection of Goods and Infrastructure Projects as a tools in the audit of procurement is also a big help.

Allow me also to give honor and gratitude to this Commission for awarding me as the Most Outstanding Woman of COA in CY 2010 that gave way for me to receive the most prestigious Dangal Ng Bayan Award in CY 2011 from the National Civil Service Commission. That was for my commitment to public service and steadfastness in upholding the interest of the country led to the discovery of massive malversation of government funds that caused the dismissal of more than 30 public officials for grave misconduct and dishonesty. And because of these awards, I was promoted to Director III on January 23, 2013, that was also the day when my first grandchild was born in Australia. This also gave me an opportunity to audit our Phil. Embassy in other countries like Amman, Jordan; Hungary; Poland and Abu Dhabi.

To my parents, siblings and family especially to my Husband, thank you for all your endless love, care and support. You all served as my inspiration in my journey. I can still remember the advise of my Mother when I was young. “Helen, sikapin mong makatapos ng pag-aaral dahil ayaw ko na matulad ka sa amin ng ama mo na walang pinag-aralan. At kung nakamit mo na ang iyong pangarap huwag mong kakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan, sana’y makatulong ka  rin sa ibang nangangailangan at huwag kang manlalamang ng kapwa, dahil yan ang susi ng mapagpala at makabuluhang buhay dito sa mundo.” Para sa aking mga magulang, Alam ko na matiwasay na kayo sa inyong kinalalagyan ngayon. Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng inyong sakripisyo upang marating ko ang tagumpay na tinatamasa ko ngayon.

To my previous Directors in Region I, X and my former Supervisors in Region XII particularly my first mentor, Auditor Reynaldo Baybay, who trained me to be an efficient and effective Auditor, my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. 

To my Former Director in Region XII,  Atty. Usmin P. Diamel, thank you very much for the trust and confidence because you nominated me to COA PRAISE for Most Outstanding Woman despite of the Anonymous complaints against me filed at COA Central Office.

To  my  former Director in Region XI, Director Eugenio G. Fernandez, thank you so much for the Plaque of Recognition for my excellent performance in the submission of Quality and Timely Annual Audit Report of the NFA Regional Office No. XI, given last May 5, 1995.

And to my present Director in Region XI, Atty. Roy L. Ursal, thank you Sir, for the learnings and challenges that strengthen my faith with God and made me a stronger and better person.

To the young Auditors and new recruits, soon you will be the leaders of this Commission. May I remind you that if you visit our COA Mission/Vision you will discover that we are partly responsible to the future of our Country. You can fight graft and corruption in the government if you will be a faithful  public servant, who think more about others than about themselves. They don’t try to use God for their purposes, They let God use them for His purpose. hence, use that power to help people and not to utilize it for self-gain. Remember Jesus promised: “The Father will honor and reward anyone who serve me faithfully”. Jesus measured greatness in term of service, not status. God determines our greatness by how many people we serve, not how many people serve us.

To the Management of all my Audited Agencies where I had been assigned as Audit Team Leader such as PNB, LBP, NFA, DPWH, Dep Ed, PPA, NHA, CAAP, General Santos Water District, Phil. Postal Corp., Province of Sarangani and South Cotabato, City of General Santos and Koronadal including its Barangays, Municipalities of Alabel, Malungon, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum,  Polomolok,Tupi, Tampakan, Norala, Surallah, Lake Sebu and Sto Nino including also  their respective Barangays. Maraming maraming Salamat  sa pagkakataong mapaglingkuran at makasama ko kayo.Taos puso ko ring pinasasalamatan kayong lahat na nagpaunlak sa aking imbitasyon na maging member ng PREX or Parish Renewal Experience Seminar as part of my Evangelization Mission. Alam ko na ginamit lang ako ni Lord upang makabalik kayo sa kanya.

To my fellow COAns especially in the regions where I have been assigned, my   fellow Directors, All the Officials in the Central Office Headed by the former and present Commission Proper, I considered you all my Family.  If ever I hurt you unintentionally, please accept my sincere apology. To those who accused me based on hearsay, you are already forgiven. Please know  also that you have been a significant part of my life’s journey. My life has been enriched, more memorable and colourful because of your presence, your friendship, your camaraderie, your support and cooperation, and your Big help. From the bottom of my heart and soul, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOD BLESS US ALL!!

It’s not Goodbye, It’s See You all around. Thank you Everyone!