MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Audit (CoA) chairman Reynaldo Villar must vacate his position once President Aquino appoints his replacement who has a “clean record,” Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President is already searching for an individual with competence and integrity to replace Villar, an appointee of the previous government.

Lacierda, speaking to reporters in the Palace, said Villar’s appointment expired last February 2, 2011, disputing claims of the official that his term will supposedly end in 2015.

“Based on the appointment paper we have in our possession, it was unequivocal his appointment ends on February 2, 2011 so believe his term ended,” Lacierda said.

“As far as we are concerned we are looking for competent people with integrity to occupy positions in the CoA. It is now very recently a magnet of controversy and that the reason why it is important to us to appoint men and women of integrity and who have clean record,” he added.

Asked if Villar must vacate his position once a replacement is named, Lacierda said: “Yes.”

Villar earlier said his appointment as CoA chairman in 2008 meant that he would start a fresh seven-year term at the agency.

Lacierda also brushed aside earlier claims that Villar's stay in office was an indication of the President’s confidence in him.

"The appointment papers are very clear; it expires on February 2, 2011,” he reiterated.