The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an investigation into Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife for their alleged involvement in several government projects through Olympus Mining Corp.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that a motu proprio probe is underway.
‘We’re still building our teams that will evaluate. The investigation into the COA building is ongoing,’ Remulla said on Monday.
Olympus Mining Corp. is a construction company headed by Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, as president and general manager.
Remulla noted that the firm was reportedly involved in various public works and supply contracts, including the construction of the COA headquarters.
‘Not only government projects in DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) but also supply of fire trucks and other government stuff,’ he added.
Reports showed that Olympus Mining Corp. was awarded 22 DPWH contracts worth P1.89 billion from 2023 to 2025.
In 2021, the DPWH also awarded a P959-million contract for the new COA building to a joint venture between R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corp. and Le Bron Construction, which was identified as a partner of Olympus.
Although Commissioner Lipana was not yet part of the commission when the COA headquarters contract was awarded, he was already a senior COA official at the time.