Heidi Mendoza

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Heidi Mendoza
Heidi Mendoza.jpg
Mendoza in 2015
Under-Secretary-General for the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services
In office
November 11, 2015 –October 17, 2019
Occupation
Profession Politician
Website Heidi Mendoza

Heidi Reyes Lloce-Mendoza (born November 3, 1962) [1] [2] is a Filipino auditor, Certified Public Accountant, and former civil servant. She served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) from 2015 to 2019. Mendoza previously served as one of the two commissioners of the Commission on Audit (COA) from 2011 to 2015, and was the agency's Officer in Charge (OIC) from February to March 2015. [3] [4]

Contents

Mendoza ran for a Senate seat in the 2025 Philippine general election.

Early life and education

Mendoza was born in Tayabas, Quezon to Agapito Lloce, a policeman, and Silveria Reyes. She attended Tayabas East Elementary School and graduated as class salutatorian from St. John Bosco Academy in Tayabas. Mendoza earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Sacred Heart College of Lucena City in 1983 and became a certified public accountant in 1984. [1] [2] She pursued post-graduate studies at the National College of Public Administration and Governance at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA), and at the National Defense College of the Philippines, where she completed a Master in National Security Administration (MNSA).

Career

Mendoza previously worked with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and was a member of the board of advisers of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government. [3]

Commission on Audit

Mendoza served as commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA) from April 18, 2011, to November 11, 2015. During her tenure, she was recognized for her efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in government transactions. She played a key role in uncovering irregularities in public funds, earning her a reputation as a staunch advocate against corruption.

On February 3, 2015, Mendoza was named Officer in Charge (OIC) of COA following the end of chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan's term the previous day. [3] Mendoza served in that role until March 25, when President Benigno Aquino III appointed Michael Aguinaldo as the new permanent chairperson of COA. [5]

Under-Secretary-General of OIOS

On October 6, 2015, Mendoza was nominated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to head the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), replacing Canadian Carman Lapointe. [4] [6] [7] She served in this role until October 17, 2019, overseeing internal audits, investigations, and inspections to ensure the integrity of the United Nations' operations worldwide. Mendoza has also served as an external auditor for the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, and International Labour Organization. [6] [8]

Politics

2025 Senate bid

In the 2025 Philippine Senate election, Mendoza ran as an independent. Her platform focused on empowering budget literacy through legislation that will teach people about the government's financial activities, as well as advocating for the abolishment of any form of pork barrel funding. [9] Mendoza lost in the May 2025 elections, placing 21st. [10]

Political views

Mendoza has been vocal about the need to abolish pork barrel funds, which have been associated with corruption and misuse of public resources. [9] Her Senate platform emphasizes budget literacy, aiming to educate citizens about government financial activities. She believes that an informed public is essential for holding leaders accountable and ensuring the proper allocation of resources. [9]

Mendoza acknowledges that corruption remains a pervasive issue in the Philippines, stating, "People tend to be resigned to it. But I want to get rid of the feeling that corruption is a way of life. I want people to have hope in their hearts that things will change." [11]

On social issues, Mendoza has largely taken conservative-leaning stances due to her upbringing and religious belief. In November 2024, Mendoza stated that she is against the legalization of divorce, even in cases of domestic abuse and violence against the wife. She added that "true love endures" and that a "temporary" separation with the end goal of reconciliation is enough for a husband and a battered wife. [12]

Mendoza's stance on LGBTQ+ issues and related areas has attracted a range of response. In April 2025, at an open forum, Mendoza stated she does not support same-sex marriage. This position led to disappointment from some LGBT+ groups and supporters. Mendoza clarified while her stance is currently a 'qualified no,' she remains open to further discussion and would not block a civil union bill. [13] [14] [15] Regarding the SOGIE Equality Bill, [16] Mendoza indicated a similar perspective. While she does not fully support the proposed legislation, she has indicated that she is still reviewing it. [17] In June 2025, Mendoza clarified in a public statement that her stance is not rooted in prejudice, and she expressed respect for the long-standing advocacy of the LGBT community regarding this measure. She also highlighted the importance of continued open dialogue, recognizing that legislative proposals about gender-related issues can prompt diverse viewpoints and discussions within society. [18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Heidi Lloce Mendoza – WOMAN of ACTION". A Celebration of Women. March 2, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Hegina, Aries Joseph (October 6, 2015). "Speaking truth to power: Who is Heidi Mendoza?". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Marcelo, Elizabeth (February 19, 2015). "Heidi Mendoza named COA officer-in-charge". GMA News. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "COA's Heidi Mendoza appointed head of UN's internal oversight office". GMA News. October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  5. ↑ Gutierrez, Natashya (March 25, 2015). "Presidential lawyer is new COA Chair". Rappler. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2025. COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza was COA officer-in-charge pending the appointment of Tan's permanent replacement.
  6. 1 2 Esmaquel, Paterno (October 6, 2015). "COA's Heidi Mendoza to head UN internal watchdog". Rappler . Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ban Ki-Moon appoints COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza as UN's internal unit head". CNN Philippines. October 6, 2015. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  8. ↑ "UN chief nominates Heidi Mendoza as under-secretary-general for oversight services". The Manila Times. October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Dominique Nicole Flores (October 8, 2024). "Ex-COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza launches Senate bid, advocates budget literacy". Philstar.com.
  10. ↑ "Heidi Mendoza's amazing run". YouTube .
  11. ↑ "The face of trust and hope". 2015.
  12. ↑ "'True love endures': Senate bet Heidi Mendoza opposes divorce for domestic abuse victims - BNC". November 19, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Heidi Mendoza: I won't oppose same-sex union legislation". April 10, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Senatorial bet Heidi Mendoza's stance on same-sex marriage draws ire from LGBTQ+ community".
  15. ↑ "Heidi Mendoza tries to win back LGBT groups, says won't block same-sex union bills | ABS-CBN News".
  16. ↑ https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3408830843!.pdf
  17. ↑ Abanto, Rowegie. "Heidi Mendoza tries to win back LGBT groups, says won't block same-sex union bills | ABS-CBN News". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on April 10, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.


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