ACT Teachers Party-list Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio has called for the immediate resignation of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana over alleged constitutional violations involving more than ₱505 million worth of government contracts awarded to his wife’s company.
Lipana, appointed to the COA by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022, came under fire during the agency’s budget briefing when Tinio revealed that his wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, is the President and General Manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines.
During the COA budget briefing Tinio’s questioning revealed that Commissioner Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, serves as President and General Manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines, which has received at nine (9) government contracts for flood control projects and farm-to-market road in Bulacan totaling ₱326.609 million in 2025. This is apart from the two completed flood control projects totaling P178.52 million.
“This is a clear-cut violation of Article 9, Section 2 of the Constitution which states that no member of a constitutional commission shall be financially interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the government,” Tinio declared. “Walang pagdududa dito—may malinaw na paglabag sa Konstitusyon.”
Most damning was COA Chair Cordoba’s own admission during the hearing when asked directly about constitutional violations. When Tinio asked, “Pero is there a violation of the constitution sa ganitong sitwasyon?” Chair Cordoba responded: “Sa pagtingin ko po, medyo meron po” (In my view, there seems to be one).
The congressman emphasized that his questioning uncovered these massive ongoing contracts that were not disclosed to the public. “Batay sa dokumentong isinumite ng COA, mayroong siyam na mga proyekto ngayong taon ang kumpanya ng asawa ni Commissioner Lipana na umabot na sa mahigit ₱326 million. Sa siyam na proyektong ito, lima ang nagkaroon na ng first partial payment. Bukod pa ito sa dalawang proyektong nasa Sumbong sa Pangulo website na nagkakahalaga namang ₱178.5 million.” Tinio said.
Chair Cordoba also admitted there was a “potential conflict of interest,” stating during the hearing: “Para po sa akin, personally, there’s a potential conflict of interest.”
Tinio stressed that Commissioner Lipana’s prolonged absences compound the constitutional violation. “Habang nasa Singapore siya nagpapagamot for months, ang asawa niya ay kumikita ng milyun-milyong piso mula sa government contracts. This is not just a conflict of interest—this is a mockery of our Constitution.”
“Marami po, dismayado sa COA na parang ang feeling ng maraming kababayan natin, nasan kayo? Natutulog ba kayo sa pansitan?’ O mas masagwa pa nga, baka kasabwat din kayo dito. Tapos ngayon, meron po tayong commissioner na may malinaw na financial interest sa mga kontrata ng flood control na pinagbabawal ng Konstitusyon,” he added
“Kaya alang-alang po sa kredibilidad ng COA, hindi ba dapat mag-resign na ang Commissioner na ito?” Tinio demanded, echoing his question during the hearing. “How can the Commission on Audit maintain its integrity when one of its commissioners is constitutionally disqualified from serving?”
The congressman noted that the Constitution requires commissioners to declare family business interests in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). “Nakalagay po sa SALN yung mga corporations owned by the family. This should have been declared and addressed long ago.”
“This is not about the quality of flood control projects. This is about the fundamental principle that constitutional commissioners cannot profit from government contracts,” Tinio clarified after the briefing. “The Constitution is clear, the COA Chair’s admission is clear, and the solution must be equally clear: Commissioner Lipana must resign immediately.”
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