VP Sara Duterte Faces Confidential Funds Allegations
MANILA, Philippines — The controversy surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds has persisted due to unanswered questions. Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the issue would have been resolved earlier if Duterte had clarified it during the Congressional hearings. The four-word keyphrase confidential funds allegations appears early as this matter unfolds.
In a phone interview, Chua responded to Duterte’s recent remarks that she will explain the confidential funds allegations if her impeachment trial moves forward. Duterte also cautioned the public against trusting lawmakers’ statements on the issue.
“It’s a good thing that at least they can explain, because we have been waiting for this explanation for a long time already. So, depending on what they plan to do, we will wait for that,” Chua said. However, he added, “The vice president should have addressed that during the committee hearings, because if they had, the issue on confidential funds would not have dragged on for so long. So why only now?”
Intelligence Aliases and Legal Defense
During an interview in the Netherlands, where her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is detained, Sara Duterte defended the use of aliases in intelligence work. She explained that intelligence operations often require confidentiality, including fictitious names.
“Let me just say this na I think it is wrong for everyone to pick-up as truth or as a fact all the pronouncements of the members of the House of Representatives, particularly with the fictitious names because there are rules in intelligence operations, and you already heard some of […] people working in intelligence say that aliases are often used in intelligence operations,” Duterte stated.
She mentioned that their legal team is preparing for her impeachment trial by gathering evidence and affidavits. Two intelligence experts will serve as resource persons to support their defense.
House Committee Findings on Confidential Funds
Chua’s panel in the 19th Congress, the House committee on good government and public accountability, conducted the investigation into the confidential funds allegations tied to Duterte’s offices — the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and previously, the Department of Education (DepEd).
One striking finding was the appearance of unusual names signing acknowledgment receipts (ARs) for confidential expenses. These ARs serve as proof that funds reached their intended recipients, who in this case are confidential informants.
Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop noticed a signatory named Mary Grace Piattos, a name reminiscent of a restaurant and a potato chip brand. Later, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong revealed two ARs signed by a Kokoy Villamin, but the handwriting and signatures differed between documents from the OVP and DepEd.
These names were not found in the Philippine Statistics Authority database, raising suspicions.
Further Investigation and Impeachment Complaint
Additional strange names surfaced, including those resembling public officials, multiple “Fionas,” a “Magellan,” and a person with the surname “Ewan,” a Filipino slang term meaning “I don’t know.” Some names even sounded like a grocery list or phone brand, as shared by La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V.
All these findings were part of the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Duterte. On February 5, the House of Representatives voted to impeach her, with 215 lawmakers supporting the complaint.
Confidential Funds Disbursement and Accountability
Beyond the odd names, officials admitted that Duterte personally instructed the release of confidential funds through individuals not formally designated as Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs). Gina Acosta, OVP’s SDO, said she delegated fund release to Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
Similarly, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda revealed that when Duterte was Education secretary, she assigned Col. Dennis Nolasco to disburse confidential funds.
Lawmakers also pointed out that the DepEd appeared to present the confidential funds as supporting a youth training program. However, local government units and the Armed Forces of the Philippines covered most expenses for the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), according to sources.
Boransing noted that the Philippine Army and LGUs bore the bulk of YLS costs.
For more news and updates on confidential funds allegations, visit Filipinokami.com.
