Ex-COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza joins senatorial race for Eleksyon 2025

Former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, who years ago testified on the alleged irregularities in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is gunning for a Senate seat in Eleksyon 2025.

Mendoza arrived at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Tuesday to lodge her certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). She will be running as an independent candidate.

“Ang una kong gagawin…alamin at ituro ang tamang proseso sa taumbayan. Ito po ay pera ng taumbayan. Sa pamamagitan nito, bigyang-diin ang mga sensitibong proseso ng budget kung saan walang impormasyon o transparency,” she told reporters in a media.

(My first agenda is to teach the correct budget process to the public. This is the money of the people. Through this, we can shed light on the sensitive process of the budget wherein no information may be given or there is transparency.)

Meanwhile, the former state auditor vowed to end pork barrel if elected senator, alleging that cash assistance (ayuda) is being used as the new pork barrel.

“Ang biro ko nga, ‘wag niyo kong kilalanin on my personal. Kilalanin niyo ko sa annual audit reports, special audit report, fraud audit reports na naisulat ko’. Hindi lang naisulat. Sila ay nakarating sa Sandiganbayan,” she added.

(I urge people not to get to know me personally. Know me through the annual audit reports, special audit reports, and fraud audit reports that I've written. Not only were they written, but they also reached the Sandiganbayan.)

Other senatoriables who filed their candidacies on Tuesday were Rosalyn Corazaon Cay, Romulo San Ramon, Vincento Domingo, Gem Domagtoy, Monique Kokkinaras, Injim Buwayog, Ismael Bajo, and Roel Lamoste, whose COC was filed by a representative.

READ: LIST: Senatorial aspirants for Eleksyon 2025

Aspirants for the senatorial race in Eleksyon 2025 have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, to file their COCs at the Manila Hotel Tent City. —KG, GMA Integrated News