By Argyll Cyrus Geducos President Duterte slammed former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, as he defended his earlier criticism against state auditors. Duterte made the statement after Mendoza said that COA deserves some respect after the President said that its auditor in Ilocos Norte should be pushed off the stairs. President Duterte during the oath-taking of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) National Board Officers and National Chapter Presidents in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace on September 19, 2018. (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) In a speech in Malacañang Wednesday evening, Duterte said that Mendoza can't lecture him as he is way ahead of her. "Si Heidi sumagot siya (Heidi answered). I’d like to tell her: You know, when I was a prosecutor, fiscal ng (of) Davao, city fiscal, assistant city fiscal. I was at the same time a special Tanodbayan prosecutor," he said. "Hindi niya ako ma-lecturan niyan (She can't lecture me) because I was ahead of her by a mile, diyan sa understanding the nitty-gritty sa (in understanding the nitty-gritty)..." he added, not finishing his sentence. According to Duterte, he was only speaking for those local government officials who can't complain against the COA during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong over the weekend. "I was speaking of the people who cannot defend themselves properly. I was not criticizing," he said. "‘Yung doon sa Benguet, sabi nitong ano (Like there in Benguet, they can't) --- because they have to comply with certain regulations. Sabi ko (I told them), 'To hell with COA. Do not listen to them just do what I’m telling you to do. I will answer them,'" he added. "Just like the military. You just do your duty. ‘Pag nasabit kayo (If you get in trouble), I will answer for it. Do not bother to worry about anything," he continued. On Sunday, Duterte blasted the COA when Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said the COA did not allow them to make cash advance due to the many assistance extended to the province from the previous typhoon. "Sinong taga COA dito? Hulog mo na sa hagdanan para hindi na makareport. Maniwala ka diyan sa COA na 'yan (Who's from COA here? Push them off the stairs so they cannot report anymore. Don't believe them)," he had said. According to Malacañang, Duterte was not disrespecting the COA but only wishes for the commission to be lenient, especially during times of crisis. "Hindi naman po , dahil ang importante, respetuhin iyong mga mamamayan, ibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan (It is not disrespectful because what's important is that we respect the people, and give them their needs)," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. "Ang konteksto po niyan kapag merong trahedya ang lahat ng taong gobyerno, dapat magbigay ng tulong (The context is, when there is a tragedy, all those in government should extend assistance)," he said, referring specifically to cash advances. "Iyon ang sinasabi ng gobyerno, 'wag masyadong papansinin iyong mga COA circular at ibigay muna kung ano ang kinakailangan ng taumbayan, saka natin asikasuhin kung ano iyong mga requirements na iyan (That is what we are saying, ignore those COA circulars, for now, give first what the people need, and let's deal with all of the requirements later)," he added.