1 week ago
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It’s that time of year again, when we choose our leaders for national and local positions. May 2025 elections are right around the corner. The 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups kicked off last Feb. 11, 2025. On March 28, 2025, the 45-day campaign period for members of the House of Representatives and all local elective positions, from governor to city and municipal officials, will launch, and here we go—we'll be bombarded with a litany of achievements, accolades, success stories, larger-than-life feats, and promises from politicians who’ll take credit for every accomplishment during their terms.
This coming election, and in elections past as I recall, we’ve seen lawyers dominate the political field. The rise of movie actors and actresses in both national and local positions has been apparent for some time. Now, we’re seeing, right before our eyes, the influx of social media influencers and media personalities joining the fray. And, from the news and recent survey results, they’re gaining traction and have a high probability of winning, particularly in national positions.
The glaring question from ordinary observers is: where are the accountants?
Accountants are usually the silent workers who shape the country's public financial management. Nameless accountants in every province, city, and municipality are the pillars of these local government units, especially in fiscal administration. Every department, bureau, commission, and almost every government office has accountants working quietly to ensure financial transactions are handled according to established procedures. It’s inconceivable to have national development without an accountant playing a key role in planning and implementation.
Accountants share politicians' visions for accountability and transparency in all government dealings, and for better public services that spur economic growth and poverty alleviation. For many years, accountants and the accountancy profession have been at the heart of making lives better. Accountants have done their fair share to ensure strong stewardship and good governance, improve the country’s fiscal performance, and have been key players in national transformation. These financial managers, auditors, regulators, and decision-makers have played vital roles in ensuring strong and sustainable public management.
Occasionally, we’ve seen accountants in the political arena, and they’ve won seats in both local and national positions. Records show they did not disappoint!
During my term as PICPA National President for the fiscal year 2023-2024, we embraced the theme “Beyond Numbers: Redefining the Roles of CPAs.” We took the stance that accountants are never just there to make the numbers fit for national aspirations. Speaking the truth, never being afraid to do the right thing, and taking the road less traveled are part and parcel of every accountant's DNA.
The accountancy profession formally traces its beginning to March 17, 1923, when the Sixth Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 3105, otherwise known as “An act regulating the practice of public accounting; creating a Board of Accountancy; providing for examination, for granting of certificates and the registration of Certified Public Accountants; for the suspension or revocation of certificates and for other purposes.” It’s been 102 years since accountants have existed in our country, and we have yet to see an accountant occupy the highest seats in our land.
My wishful thinking is that one day, accountants will no longer be content being silent workers. Take the challenge in the political arena and show the world the accountant’s way of governance.
Atty. Randy B. Blanza, CPA, is the immediate past national president of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
