Chairperson Gamaliel Asis Cordoba was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as Chairperson (the equivalent of Auditor-General) of the Commission on Audit (COA) on 21 October 2022. COA is the 124-year-old Supreme Audit Institution of the Philippines.

Chairperson Cordoba currently serves as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization.

Before his COA appointment, Chairperson Cordoba, a lawyer, economist and public administrator, was the longest-serving Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Chairperson Cordoba has the distinction of having served under four Philippine Presidents: Presidents Gloria M. Arroyo, Benigno C. Aquino III, Rodrigo R. Duterte and Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

His 13-year stint with the NTC witnessed landmark projects resulting in the country’s marked improvement in Internet speeds through the streamlining of permits for the construction of telecommunication towers and fiber optic installations. The country’s fixed broadband and mobile internet speeds remarkably improved globally under his leadership with Ookla Speedtest Global Index now ranking the Philippines 41st out of 180 countries globally for fixed broadband and 79th out of 140 countries for mobile.

Under his term, the NTC broke the long-time duopoly in the telecommunications industry by successfully selecting a third telco through a most transparent bidding process under the guidance of the International Telecommunication Union. The country also saw the adoption of the Japanese Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast System as the Philippine Digital TV Platform.

With Cordoba as Commissioner, the NTC also consistently exceeded its collection targets by an average of 132.82% annually and was recognized as a Freedom of Information (FOI) Champion for its exceptional and significant contribution to the FOI Program’s progress and development.

Chairperson Cordoba activated radio groups in times of calamities like typhoons to help victims of natural disasters and ensured that programs such as “Libreng Tawag” were available to assist the public in rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

Actively blocking online child pornography was given priority during his tenure at the NTC. Under his watch, the NTC likewise passed the audits under the European Maritime Safety Agency and obtained the requisite International Standardization Organization accreditation (ISO 9001:2008) from the Certification Body of TUV SUD Asia Pacific TUV SUD Group.

Chairperson Cordoba also served as part of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation from 2008-2009; Appointments Secretary of the Office of Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo from 2006-2007; Undersecretary of the Office of the President from 2003-2006 and Assistant Executive Secretary from 2002-2003. He also became a Director of the Office of Presidential Chief of Staff from 2001-2002.

In the Office of the President, Chairperson Cordoba became an integral part of the Office’s day-to-day activities, formulating and implementing department strategies, objectives, and policies.

Chairperson Cordoba served in Ex Oficio capacity representing the Office of the President as Director of the Philippine National Railways; Director of the Maritime Industry Authority; Member of the Presidential Committee on Good Governance and Execom Member of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center.

In 2010, Chairperson Cordoba was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit by President Gloria M. Arroyo for his exemplary performance and service delivery to the Filipino people. He also received the Radio Award from the Ministry of International Affairs and Communications of Japan. Come November 2023, he will be conferred with “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” by the Government of Japan in recognition of his contribution to the cooperation of both countries in the areas of information and technology.

Before joining the government, Chairperson Cordoba was an Associate at the Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices, the oldest continuously operating law office in the Philippines today (since 1901). He also worked as a Tax Lawyer at the SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co., a member practice of Ernst & Young International and the country’s premier private auditing firm.

Chairperson Cordoba holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University. He also finished his Juris Doctor in 1996 from the same University and subsequently passed the Philippine Bar Examination the following year.

Chairperson Cordoba’s extensive experience in both private law practice and public service has given him a deep knowledge of institutional governance and processes. In addition, he has won the respect of his peers and clients for his integrity, humility, and acknowledgment of stakeholders’ contribution to the delivery of COA’s mandate.