Vice President Sara Duterte Addresses Confidential Funds Allegations
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has clarified that the names linked to the alleged recipients of confidential funds in her office and during her time as education secretary were actually “aliases” used in intelligence operations. This explanation came amid growing scrutiny over the supposed fictitious names found in budget documents.
Duterte made this statement during an impromptu interview in The Hague, Netherlands, where she was asked about how she plans to respond to the allegations raised in her impeachment trial. The accusations include a list of supposed beneficiaries under her office’s confidential funds that many consider questionable.
She said she intends to tackle these claims in court, leaving it to her legal team to collect evidence and affidavits to counter the accusations. “Let me just say this, 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,” Duterte stated.
Explaining the Use of Aliases in Intelligence Work
She emphasized that the names mentioned were aliases commonly used in intelligence work. “You already heard some of intelligence, people who work in intelligence, say that aliases are often used in intelligence operations,” she added. When pressed for more details, Duterte declined to elaborate, saying, “That can be discussed during the trial. I do not want to elaborate on intelligence operations.”
Duterte also revealed that her legal team includes two intelligence experts who will serve as resource persons during the trial. This suggests that the defense will rely heavily on the sensitive nature of intelligence protocols to explain the controversial names.
“So, let us wait for the trial and as I said yesterday, if there is no trial, then I will answer it publicly. I just want to wait what will happen to the articles of impeachment,” she said, signaling readiness to face the issue head-on in the proper venue.
Controversial Names Spark Public Doubts
Names such as “Mary Grace Piattos, Chippy McDonald, Marian Rivera, and Chel Diokno” appeared on the Department of Education’s list of confidential fund recipients during Duterte’s leadership. These unusual entries sparked widespread public skepticism about how the budget was utilized in both the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President.
Sources noted that the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed troubling discrepancies. According to their report, 1,322 out of 1,992 recipients of the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds lacked birth records. Similarly, 405 of the 677 recipients in the Department of Education’s confidential funds during her term had no birth certificates.
These findings have fueled debates about transparency and accountability in government spending, especially concerning confidential funds that are difficult to audit.
Looking Ahead to the Impeachment Trial
Vice President Duterte’s insistence on addressing these allegations through the impeachment trial highlights her confidence in the defense her team will present. The role of intelligence operations and the use of aliases are expected to be key points in her legal arguments.
As the trial progresses, many await further details and proofs that may clarify or complicate the situation. For now, Duterte urges the public to withhold judgment until official proceedings provide the full picture.
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