(Photo courtesy of COA)
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba as the newest associate justice of the Supreme Court, Malacañang announced Friday, November 13.
Cordoba will replace Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, who is scheduled to retire on November 16, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
A lawyer, economist and public administrator, Cordoba brings more than two decades of government experience to the judiciary, having served most recently as head of the country’s constitutional audit institution.
Castro highlighted Cordoba’s efforts to investigate alleged irregularities in government infrastructure projects, particularly flood control programs.
“At COA, he led a comprehensive fraud audit of flood control projects, submitting at least 50 fraud audit reports to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” Castro said.
During his leadership at COA, Cordoba also introduced GPS-based geotagging for government infrastructure projects nationwide to improve monitoring, verification and accountability in public spending.
He previously served as an external auditor for the International Labour Organization and the World Trade Organization.
Cordoba also chaired the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions in 2024 and 2025, strengthening cooperation among government auditing bodies in Southeast Asia.
Before his appointment as COA chairperson, Cordoba served as commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from 2009 to 2022, becoming the agency’s longest-serving commissioner.
During his tenure, he helped facilitate the entry of a third major telecommunications provider, challenging the country’s longstanding industry duopoly.
He also oversaw the approval of satellite internet provider Starlink’s application to operate in the Philippines, a move aimed at expanding internet access in remote and underserved communities.
Cordoba likewise led regulatory initiatives targeting text scams and online child sexual abuse materials.
In June 2026, he received the Gawad Gat Andres Bonifacio Award, the highest distinction conferred by the City of Manila.
Cordoba earned his economics degree in 1992 and Juris Doctor degree in 1996 from Ateneo de Manila University. He passed the Philippine Bar examinations in 1997.
Before joining government service in 2001, he practiced law at Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako and worked as a tax lawyer at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.
His appointment comes as the Supreme Court prepares for a change in its membership following Lazaro-Javier’s retirement.
