Assistant Director Abdul Gaffar R. Ali was designated as the Acting Assistant Regional Director of COA XII on August 11, 2021. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Acting Assistant Director of the Technical Service Office, Systems and Technical Services Sector.

Assistant Director Ali started his career in COA in 2010 and worked at the then Adjudication and Legal Services Office (ALSO) under the Office of the Government Counsel. Later, he became the Division Chief of the Legal Affairs Office, Legal Services Sector, which handles legal opinions, administrative cases, legal retainers, and contract review. In 2014, he graduated from the Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP).

Before his employment in the Commission, Assistant Director Ali worked as a Purchasing Engineer at Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation. He then pursued a career in law and became the Clerk of Court VI, 12th Judicial Region, Maguindanao Province.Before his employment in the Commission, Assistant Director Ali worked as a Purchasing Engineer at Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation. He then pursued a career in law and became the Clerk of Court VI, 12th Judicial Region, Maguindanao Province.

Assistant Director Ali graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1996 and became a Licensed Mechanical Engineer in the same year. He then earned units in Masters of Business Administration at the Manuel L. Quezon University from 1996 to 1998. He studied Law at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City and was admitted to the Bar in 2007.