Secretary Locsin Launches PH Candidature to the UN Board of Auditors
From left: Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Commissioner Jose A. Fabia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo pose for this photo during the reception to launch Chairperson Aguinaldo’s candidature to the United Nations Board of Auditors. (photos: Clark Galang, DFA)
09 May 2019 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. hosted a reception to launch the Philippine Candidature to the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNBOA) on 02 May 2019 at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo has been nominated by the Philippine government for membership in UNBOA for the term 2020-2026.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary Locsin stated that it is the Philippine government’s earnest hope that the Philippines, as represented by Atty. Aguinaldo and his team, be given an opportunity to contribute to the UN as an organization strongly committed to the ideals of accountability and transparency in the pursuit of its mandate.
“The UN can only achieve its purpose and spearhead programs through its various organs and institutions with funds contributed by most of its 193 members each year. These contributions symbolize each member’s firm commitment to the UN and reflect the importance placed on multilateralism and diplomacy in building a better community of nations. These contributions serve as the lifeblood of the UN, and as such, need to be utilized with utmost care and diligence and audited by impartial experts to ensure the integrity of UN’s diverse operations and help maintain confidence between the UN and its member states,” Secretary Locsin said.
In lauding Atty. Aguinaldo, Secretary Locsin outlined his and COA’s achievements in its engagements with the UN.
“The Philippine Commission on Audit, with its extensive experience in the UN and up-to-date auditing system and techniques, has proven its capability to help lead the UN evolve as an international organization, with a purpose that continues to be relevant and important to this day,” he said.
For his part, Atty. Aguinaldo shared that COA was a member of the prestigious UNBOA for 18 years covering the periods 1984-1992 and 1999-2007. COA has served the UN Headquarters, UN Peacekeeping Operations, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Institute for Training and Research, UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, UN Office in Nairobi, the UN Children's Fund, and the UN Environment Programme, among others, and has established an excellent reputation in the organization.
The elections for membership in the UNBOA will be held in November 2019, at the UN Headquarters in New York. END
