House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio has called for the resignation of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana, citing a potential conflict of interest in the agency’s ongoing audit of flood control projects allegedly marred by irregularities.
Reports state that Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio-Lipana, is the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corporation, a contractor associated with the controversial projects, according to records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
During the deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday, the DPWH supervising auditor Tracy Ann Sunico confirmed that the mentioned company was awarded several projects, with total payments made so far amounting to ₱326 million, despite the projects still being incomplete.
Tinio asked COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba whether there is a conflict of interest concerning Commissioner Lipana, given that his wife is reportedly involved with a contractor tied to questionable DPWH projects.
Cordoba responded, saying, “For me, personally, there’s a potential conflict of interest.”
Tinio referenced Article IX-A, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, which bars members of constitutional commissions from holding other government positions, practicing any profession, or having any financial interest, whether direct or indirect, in contracts with the government or in any franchise or privilege it grants.
He also expressed that as long as Lipana remains in the COA, the agency's credibility will continue to be clouded by doubt amid the controversy surrounding the flood control projects.
However, Cordoba explained that Lipana should voluntarily resign, as they have no “disciplinary authority” over him, given that high-ranking officials of the Commission are impeachable.
Tinio also criticized the repeated absences of Lipana from every budget deliberation, to which Cordoba said that the Commissioner has been on medical leave since early August and is currently in Singapore.
Furthermore, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila De Lima stated that Lipana’s case is not merely a potential conflict of interest, but an actual one.
She urged Chairperson Cordoba to speak with Lipana, warning that if no action is taken, some officials may still move to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
