FEATURE: The Man Who Said No to Shortcuts

Atty. Chito Colonia’s clear-eyed drive for financial integrity

Atty. Chito John J. Colonia didn’t step into ISUFST with grand promises or lofty speeches. He walked in with a calculator in one hand, a copy of the accounting manual in the other, and a childhood dream tucked neatly into his chest pocket. “Becoming a CPA-lawyer was always the goal,” he says plainly—no drama, no flourish. Now barely a year into his role as Chief Administrative Officer for Finance at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), he is already known for being the kind of public servant who quietly ensures that things are done not just correctly, but conscientiously.

Born to humble roots and molded by discipline, Colonia followed a path that many admire but few endure. He pursued both accountancy and law not out of circumstance, but out of vision—one that started long before most of his peers knew the difference between a debit and a statute. Earning his CPA license and law degree from the University of San Agustin, he entered government service with a mission: to protect the public purse and champion transparency through sound legal and financial systems.

Today, under the reform-oriented leadership of ISUFST President Nordy Siason Jr., Colonia plays a vital role in operationalizing the university’s commitment to good governance. “In a state university, good governance means accountability,” he explains. “It’s not just about following rules—it’s about being morally obligated to care for taxpayer money.” And care he does, not through loud campaigns but through deliberate action, firm policies, and quiet consistency.

Since joining ISUFST, Colonia has helped streamline operations across accounting, budget, and cash management—bringing these units into tighter coordination with oversight bodies such as COA, DBM, and CHED. “We’re new as a university, and that means we can’t afford mistakes that older institutions might get away with,” he notes. “So, we begin by being meticulous.” Even with no headline-grabbing reform yet to his name, he knows the value of laying strong foundations.

His approach to leadership centers on precision and responsiveness. “Every disbursement must be legal and necessary,” he emphasizes. “We follow the rules not because we’re afraid to break them, but because we respect their purpose.” For Colonia, rules aren’t restrictions—they are safeguards. In a field where shortcuts are tempting, he is resolute: “Shortcuts today can become institutional problems tomorrow.”

At the heart of his system is data—clean, complete, and timely. “It’s the backbone of every recommendation I make to the President,” he says. “In finance, information isn’t optional; it’s the only way we can make smart, ethical decisions.” Whether it’s auditing, cashiering, or budgeting, Colonia insists that accuracy must precede action. His office runs not on hunches but on hard numbers.

But numbers alone don’t insulate one from pressure. Ethical dilemmas are an inevitable part of his work, especially when expectations from various university sectors run high. “Sometimes what’s legal doesn’t align with what’s politically convenient,” he admits. “In those cases, I try to find a balance—but never at the expense of compliance with accounting or auditing rules.” His moral compass, like his ledger, does not bend for convenience.

In a university where people wear many hats and pull in different directions, Atty. Colonia understands the challenge of keeping things fair. “There are moments when priorities clash,” he admits. “But that’s why I tell my staff: let your consistency speak louder than the noise.” He believes professionalism isn’t a cold wall—it’s a quiet anchor. Avoiding murky decisions isn’t fear-based—it’s a form of respect, both for the institution and the people they serve.

Colonia’s most honest insight? “We are a work in progress.” As a finance leader in a newly converted state university, he sees the challenge clearly: to guide the Finance Unit into maturity without taking any reckless detours. “We must improve our systems gradually, deliberately. There’s no fast lane to credibility.” For him, reform isn’t a sprint—it’s a methodical march.

“Welcome to the university,” Atty. Colonia jokes, “where three people in a room mean five different priorities.” But humor aside, he takes balance seriously. “I tell my team—stick to facts, stick to fairness.” Being professional, he explains, doesn’t mean being robotic. It means knowing when to step back and let transparency be your guide. And as he often reminds them, dodging gray areas isn’t about playing safe. It’s about playing straight.

Mentorship is his quiet crusade. “I remind our younger professionals: you’re not just working a job—you’re contributing to something larger,” he shares. “We have stable work in a growing institution. That alone should inspire us to show up with integrity and commitment every day.” For him, the real legacy isn’t in the position you hold, but in the discipline you pass down.

When asked about his vision for the next five years, his response is clear: “A streamlined Finance Unit. One where every team member knows their role and contributes meaningfully to ISUFST’s mission. And a higher compliance rate with oversight bodies—not because we’re told to, but because it’s ingrained in our culture.” He doesn’t speak of innovation in buzzwords, but in systems that quietly do their job right.

What keeps him anchored at ISUFST is simple: gratitude. “I feel incredibly fortunate,” he says. “To be part of a growing SUC like ISUFST, and to be trusted with this responsibility—this is something I do not take lightly.” For Colonia, it’s not about chasing promotions or applause; it’s about doing good work that helps a public university rise.

And if he could leave one principle behind for future generations? “No shortcuts,” he says without hesitation. “If we take the easy route now, we create bigger problems down the road. Discipline may be hard—but it lasts. And lasting institutions are built on people willing to do the right thing even when no one’s watching.” That, perhaps, is his quiet revolution: a Finance Office that doesn’t just count pesos, but values them.* (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)