FORMER state auditor and independent senatorial candidate Heidi Mendoza has said corruption in government has worsened to such extent that dirty hands are already partitioning the budget even before the appropriations bill is printed on paper.
Speaking at the iTam Halalan 2025 at the far Eastern University Wednesday evening, Mendoza called on the youth to take a stand against the plunder of government resources by voting against political dynasties and choosing candidates who are promoting good governance.
“I have always declared that you, the young people, are the owners of the future. If we abandon the youth, we abandon the nation. I fear for your future. When I was younger, corruption would take place during budget execution phase. Now it starts even at the preparation and allocation stages,” Mendoza said.
The former government auditor said contractors and suppliers already start lobbying to congressmen and senators during the crafting of the following year’s budget by advancing sums as percentage of appropriations for pet projects that a congressman or senator can insert.
“I joined this year’s race because there is a need to fight corruption. If we don’t take a stand or speak up against excesses by public officials, it doesn’t bear thinking where our country will end up,” Mendoza said.
The former commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA) said she believes her experience in exposing and putting powerful officials behind bars will come in handy.
“If there is a question about my track record, I have sent military generals, provincial governors, and the president of the General Assembly to jail. Those cases are easily verifiable. By doing our job, we forced them to return millions stolen from public treasury and millions of dollars to the United Nations,” she said.
Mendoza called on voters to scrutinize each candidate and look for three defining characteristics of a real public servant: independence, integrity and competence
“Look for these three things. I can tell you with complete confidence that most of our senators now do not have these qualities. My challenge to you is to look beyond the old, tired faces on Team Kadiliman (Darkness) and Team Kasamaan (Wickedness),” she added.
While Mendoza expects that questions would be raised whether being a former auditor prepared her to work in legislature, she said the meticulous job of reviewing government transactions has given her insight as to where to find problems and how to address them.
“I assure you I am bringing a full bag about policies that need scrutiny. I am well-versed in budget legislation precisely because I served the government with love and dedication for 27 years. You take care of something you love, shore up its weaknesses, and keep an eye for any problem,” Mendoza said.
