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MARLYN C. MERCADO 26 June 2014

MPA I

Reflection: Will you become a frustration of the future generation in the Philippine Administrative
System someday?

I am proud to be a state auditor- safeguarding our nations resources against misuse, graft and
corruption. I had chosen to become a public servant even knowing that working in a government is not
that easy. Being a public servant gives me benefits and frustrations. I am grateful for the prestige,
recognitions, benefits, and exclusive authority given to us as servants of the supreme audit institution of
the state. On the other hand, being an auditor is not always a bread and butter situation. There are also
frustrations discovered along the way: red tape, crab mentality, corruption, and bureaucracy. These
frustrations have become part of our government since our ancestors and continually being influenced
by the political, social, and economical aspects of our democratic country. I have heard some of my
colleagues share their frustrations with the Commission and with our co-state auditors who dont do
their job well, especially those who were assigned in the local government units. They used to be one of
those auditors who were doing their work with integrity and public commitment. But as they go along
the way, they are like just shrimps being carried away with the waves of corruption and anomalies. Old
colleagues always tell me: Youre still young, as time goes by youll discover the reality of being a public
servant. All you have to do is to be firm with your principles in life and stand with the right thing. The
question is: Will I be a good state auditor permanently or a frustration as a public administrator in the
Commission? It is easier for someone to say I will never be a frustration of the Commission, but in
most cases, it easier to say things than doing it.
As what my parents always tell me: Do the right thing not because you are afraid of the sanctions of
doing wrong, do the right thing because you know it is right. In the end, it is only between you and our
God. My parents raised us to be not the best people but the good ones. They instill to us good moral
values and always remind us of the words of God. I believe they are right. They may not be rich or
famous, but they are happy and contented without any fears. We lived in a simple life yet we are happy
because we know we can walk head up high because we know we live our life with integrity.
During our Orientation Seminar in the Commission on Audit, we were informed of the COAs core
values: God Centeredness, Patriotism, Excellence, Integrity, Professionalism, Courtesy, Modesty and
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Humility, and Respect for Authority and the Rule of Law. These should be our guiding principles as we do
our commitment to public service. To become a state auditor is not just a job, it is an opportunity to
make a difference in our society and do our responsibility beyond what is expected. By sticking to the
core values instilled to us as state auditors, we will never get lost. Considering our countrys political
problems and unstable economy, being a public administrator can be tough. But I know, I can struggle to
do this selfless responsibility with integrity and excellence to be a nations asset, not a frustration. There
are a lot of public servants who became frustrations but I dont mind because I look-up to the few
dedicated public servants who did their job well with integrity and professionalism.
I may not be the ideal perfect state auditor. But I know, with my everyday work experiences, interaction
with different people, commitment to fight corruption, and most of all faithfulness to God, I believe I
can make a change and will learn to do my job with integrity, professionalism, and transparency and be
a good public servant as I can be.