Mariano Marcos
State University

Former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza inspires MMSU Accountancy students

By Jedd Bryant Boado

Known for her advocacy for transparency and good governance, former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza engaged and inspired MMSU Accountancy students during a talk at the CBEA Social Hall on March 25.

The inspirational discourse for the third and fourth year Accountancy students was organized by College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) led by its OIC Dean Emil James Tanagon and Accountancy Program, Accountancy Program Chair Suerte Dy, and by COA-Ilocos Norte, headed by OIC Audit Team Leader Bradley Policarpio and OIC Supervising Auditor Atty. Rener Cafirma.

Dean Tanagon praised Mendoza as an Outstanding Professional in Accountancy, recognized by the Philippine Professional Regulatory Commission in 2024. Additionally, she was honored as a Board of Accountancy Centennial Awardee in 2023. Tanagon highlighted Mendoza's remarkable achievement as the first Filipino to serve as the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General of the Office of Internal Oversight Services from 2015 to 2019.

In her inspirational message, Ms. Mendoza recounted her time as an Accountancy student, a Certified Public Accountant, and a UN official. She said that even though life does not go as planned, it is important to remain optimistic and be ready when one’s dream is realized.

“The challenge for you is to always follow your dreams and be ready when they become your reality. Once your dream is fulfilled, remember to always do your best and put your heart in the right place,” Mendoza said.

An open forum was also conducted, where the Accountancy students of the university asked various questions about the state of the nation, with Ms. Mendoza answering through the lens of an accountant and a good governance advocate. 

To end the program, Ms. Mendoza urged the Accountancy students to uphold the values of honesty and integrity and to curb the spread of disinformation in the country.

“As future accountants, my only hope is that you help me in fighting disinformation and corruption in our government for us to build a better future for the next generations,” Mendoza said.

Ms. Mendoza’s visit to MMSU and Ilocos Norte is focused on her advocacy to promote awareness of good governance and the importance of combating corruption among institutions, church organizations, and other agencies in the country.