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 Certified Public Accountant • Auditor • Anti-corruption advocate
Profession Accountant
Known forWhistleblower in the 2011 AFP corruption scandal
Former COA Commissioner
Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services
AwardsYahoo! 2011 Modern Day Hero
Accountancy Centenary Award of Excellence (2023)
Outstanding Professional Award (2024)
Website Heidi Mendoza

Heidi Reyes Lloce-Mendoza (born November 3, 1962) [1] [2] is a Filipino auditor, Certified Public Accountant, and former civil servant known for her advocacy against corruption and promotion of good governance. 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 gained prominence as a whistleblower in the 2011 Armed Forces of the Philippines corruption scandal, exposing irregularities in military funds. [5] [6] She is the author of A Guide to Investigation & Common Procurement Fraud and Irregularities and has been recognized as a Yahoo! 2011 Modern Day Hero. [7] [8] [9] In 2025, she ran as an independent candidate for the Philippine Senate, securing over 8.7 million votes but placing 21st overall. [10] [11]

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. [12]

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] [13] [14] 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. [13] [15]

Whistleblowing efforts

2011 Armed Forces of the Philippines corruption scandal

Heidi Mendoza gained national prominence in 2011 as a whistleblower and former Commission on Audit (COA) auditor who uncovered significant corruption within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). She exposed irregularities involving the diversion of military funds, including a missing PHP 200 million United Nations fund intended to support AFP troops in peacekeeping missions, as well as a broader unaudited pool of discretionary funds estimated at PHP 1.5 billion. Her testimonies revealed allegations that high-ranking AFP officials, including former military comptroller General Carlos Garcia, were involved in siphoning off millions of pesos meant for soldiers’ pensions and allowances. Mendoza's disclosures led to official investigations and public attention. [16]

She reported facing personal risk, including receiving death threats as a consequence of her whistleblowing activities. Her revelations brought attention to systemic corruption in the AFP and were cited by commentators as demonstrating her commitment to public service and ethical standards. [17]

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. [18] Despite garnering over 8.7 million votes, she finished in 21st place and did not secure a seat . [19] Analysts noted her performance as impressive for a first-time, independent candidate focused on governance reforms. [20]

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. [18] 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. [18]

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." [21]

Mendoza has expressed her views on several proposed legislative bills. She states that she does not support the legalization of divorce, even in cases of domestic abuse. She explained her view by stating that, in her perspective, “true love endures,” and she favors temporary separation with reconciliation and counseling as alternatives to divorce. [22] On same-sex marriage, she describes her view as “qualified no” but won't block a civil unions legislation and remains open to discussions and further review of the SOGIE Bill. [23] [24] Her stance has drawn mixed reactions, with some individuals in the community remaining critical while others continue to support her, prioritizing her anti-corruption initiatives over disagreements on legislative issues.

Mendoza has also called for an anti-political dynasty law, arguing that government should not be treated as a family business. In a 2025 post, she shared anecdotes from her COA days about family disputes over public funds, emphasizing how such dynamics harm national politics. [25]

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. ↑ by. "10 Most Controversial Filipino Whistleblowers". SPOT.PH. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ "AFP corruption scandal whistleblower gets nomination to head UN Internal Audit". The Summit Express. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Heidi L. Mendoza".
  8. ↑ "A guide to investigation of common procurement fraud and irregularities / Heidi L. Mendoza | Catalogue | National Library of Australia". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Pitong Pinoy: Recognizing 7 modern-day Filipino heroes". Yahoo News. August 31, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Heidi Mendoza's impressive run in the 2025 senatorial elections". www.msn.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  11. ↑ "HEIDI MENDOZA | Election Results 2025: Vote Count Updates & Tallies | Eleksyon 2025 | GMA News Online". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. 1 2 Esmaquel, Paterno (October 6, 2015). "COA's Heidi Mendoza to head UN internal watchdog". Rappler . Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "UN chief nominates Heidi Mendoza as under-secretary-general for oversight services". The Manila Times. October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ Silverio, Ina Alleco (February 2, 2011). "Ex-COA Auditor Who Documented Corruption in Philippine Military Lauded". Bulatlat. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ News, G. M. A. (February 6, 2011). "Whistleblower Heidi Mendoza receives death threat". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 20, 2025.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. 1 2 3 Dominique Nicole Flores (October 8, 2024). "Ex-COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza launches Senate bid, advocates budget literacy". Philstar.com.
  19. ↑ "Heidi Mendoza's amazing run". YouTube .
  20. ↑ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (June 4, 2025). "Heidi Mendoza's impressive run in the 2025 senatorial elections". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  21. ↑ "The face of trust and hope". 2015.
  22. ↑ Staff, Bilyonaryo News Channel (November 19, 2024). "'True love endures': Senate bet Heidi Mendoza opposes divorce for domestic abuse victims - BNC" . Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  23. ↑ News, LLANESCA T. PANTI, GMA Integrated (April 10, 2025). "Heidi Mendoza: I won't oppose same-sex union legislation". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 20, 2025.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ https://x.com/HeidiMendoza45/status/1991025124343230908


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