Stanza 44 of this continuing satire in free verse versus corruption and vices, is addressed to Heidi Mendoza.
“On the basis of her audit report that never was,” she told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that CoA chairman Guillermo Carague, Commissioner Emmanuel Dalman, and CoA directors did not help her in the investigation from 2001 to 2004 when Major General Carlos Garcia was AFP Comptroller. These lies were globally telecast and not only chairman Carague was embarrassed; all the other CoA chairmen were asked to explain why.
Through Heidi’s false claim — that CoA did not help her — the highly respected audit institution was put to shame.
Heidi besmirched and tarnished the honor and dignity of the CoA officials. The damage was irreparable.
Under no reasonable ordering of society can it be philosophically and judiciously asserted that Heidi’s right to free speech is higher than the right of CoA officials to their good name and their reputation. The esteem with which their peers hold them is the basis for their social relations, the backbone of their social interaction.
29
But who really is accountable
Grace and Heidi caused all the trouble
Can you hold the lawmakers responsible
Do they sign the vouchers and the payroll
30
They only sign what is endorsable
Most likely the head of IA is answerable
Now let us deviate without the rhyme
And trace the tension of our time
31
May I ask the following questions
So you can have some sort of conclusion
Who has the power of contempt?
To compel employees in the government
32
To submit a complete list of congressmen
Who received releases for their constituent
Who has the power to hold the salaries?
Who fails to obey demand under query
33
Who keeps the general accounts of government?
Nobody else but Grace and Heidi again and again
Any movement of funds from item to item
Is impossible to occur without their knowing them.
34
Any illegal juggling of funds could have been stopped
How come Grace and Heidi did not stop the DAP?
From the auditor’s instinct and point of view
Is a failure to obey the fundamental law.
35
Article IX-D of our 1987 Constitution
Section 12-2 of the Code of audit commission
Command to Pulido Tan and Heidi Mendoza
To control the release of DAP and Malampaya
36
“He did not deny any of our findings/”
“He did not say we missed something.”
“That’s great. That’s vindicating.”
“We can disallow, demand refunding.”
37
A newspaper on 28 August 2013
“Quit erroneous, PDAF reporting!”
“Resign for irreparably damaging”
“Disservice to Way Kurat for grave mistaking!”
38
In August was “Kahindik hindik” disclosure
In September was “explosive” exposure
Malampaya explosion cocksure to occur
Premature again is the bomb detonator.
39
Why always the haste to hit the headline
Why all the fuss? P5-billion unsettled cash advance
In 1999 it was P7.7 billion more than
CoA then had it settled without beating the drum.
40
CoA Chair Pulido Tan is like Ferdinand
And Heidi Mendoza is like Magellan,
Peas in a pod whom both assumed the greatness
of the explorer who discovered our islands on 16 March 1521
They believe everything great in CoA started since they began.
41
They boast of having won the bright spot in London
But old folks found them as silly as cartoon
Citizen participatory audit violates the Constitution.
No basis whatsoever for any legislation.
42
Given the track record of Grace and Heidi
They will pick auditors from their party
Not from the plantilla of the audit commission
Causing chaos and widespread protestation.
43
Premature disclosure of audit finding
Is common hallmark of Heidi’s auditing
Pasiklab muna saka na ang ebidensya
Dismissed and kaso sa korte suprema.
44
Heidi’s tall tale of lies goes on to flourish
Her tongue in revenge continues to unleash
Words that poison with intent to demolish
Even one’s good name, one’s blood and flesh.