Mindanao State University (MSU) – Main Campus formally convened its Audit Entrance Conference for Calendar Year 2025 today, September 17, 2025, at Kalimudan Hall, MSU-Meranaw Cultural Heritage Center. This event signified the commencement of the audit process pertaining to the university’s financial and operational activities for the designated year.
The principal objectives of the audit conference are to establish a mutual understanding between auditors and auditees regarding the audit’s objectives, scope, methodology, expectations, and deliverables; and to afford auditees the opportunity to pose inquiries and seek clarification on any matters of concern relevant to the audit process and its anticipated outcomes.
Duly designated officials from the Commission on Audit (COA) in attendance included COA-BARMM Regional Director Rasdy M. Guiling, CPA; Supervising Auditor Atty. Alexander Mitumug, CPA; and Audit Team Leader Faridah M. Salic, CPA. COA Team Members comprised Auditor Sittie Razziqah B. Muhammad, CPA; Auditor Lanto M. Masbud; Auditor Tomianong Disamburun; Auditor Caimah M. Abbas, CPA; and Auditor Fatima Tuzahrah Said. The MSU administration, encompassing the University System and Campus Officials, College Deans, and Unit Directors, was under the leadership of System President Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA.
Supervising Auditor Atty. Alexander Mitumug, CPA, furnished a comprehensive overview of the audit, delineating its scope and objectives. Sittie Razziqah B. Muhammad, CPA, Audit Team Member/Audit Team Leader (MSIs), presented the audit thrusts and timeline for CY 2025, detailing key milestones and deadlines. This encompassed criteria stipulated for various audit modalities, including Financial, Compliance, and Performance Audits, as well as the mandatory accounts subject to scrutiny in the financial audit as per SAI directives, among other considerations.
Atty. Saaduddin M. Alauya, Jr., CPA, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to accountability and cooperation in order to comply with all requisites and necessities as prescribed by the COA. He conveyed gratitude to the COA for their dedication in assisting the university in the auditing of its financial transactions and expressed confidence in the robust MSU team under the new administration of Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA.
Rasdy M. Guiling, CPA, Regional Director of COA-BARMM, delivered a message underscoring the significance of the audit process for the university’s governance. “Please think of us less as villains and more as co-pilots. We are not here to point fingers or block good initiatives; we are here to safeguard, to remind, and to ensure that public funds serve their real purpose.”
MSU System President Atty. Paisalin P. D. Tago, CPA emphasized the imperative of checks and balances within governmental frameworks. He expressed appreciation to the COA for their invaluable services in upholding checks and balances in governance and conveyed his anticipation for a continued productive partnership between the university and COA. “The COA is a partner to all government agencies. They are not here to stop the disbursement or the programs of government units or agencies; they are here to protect the funds that pertain to our people.”
The conference featured a ceremonial signing of the engagement letter, symbolizing the formal accord between the auditing team and MSU-Marawi. Afidah R. Pacasum from the Commission on Audit, served as the Master of Ceremonies, ensuring the seamless progression of the conference.
The Commission on Audit stands as the supreme audit institution of the Republic of the Philippines. It is vested with the power, authority, and responsibility to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts, expenditures, or utilization of funds and property. This encompasses assets owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, including its subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters. The COA’s mandate ensures accountability and transparency in the management of public resources, thereby safeguarding the interests of the Filipino people.
These Audit Entrance Conference for CY 2025 underscored MSU-Marawi’s steadfast commitment to financial probity and transparent governance. Through collaborative engagement with the Commission on Audit, the university endeavors to fortify its fiscal management practices, thereby ensuring that resources are deployed with utmost efficiency and effectiveness for the betterment of its students, faculty, and the broader community it serves.
