House to PSA: Verify over 600 names in Duterte confidential funds
Metro Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives has requested the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify the identity of over 600 payees of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd).
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua made the request through a letter addressed to National Statistician Dennis Mapa dated Dec. 5. A copy of which was released to reporters on Friday, Dec. 6.
Chua is the chairperson of the House committee on good government and public accountability, which is probing the supposed mismanagement of the P612.5-million confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd, which Duterte led until July.
“This is deeply troubling. If Mary Grace Piattos doesn’t exist in official records, we have to question whether the other 677 names are legitimate or if they are part of a wider scheme to misuse funds,” Chua said in a statement.
The PSA earlier told Chua that there is no Mary Grace Piattos in its database. The committee requested the PSA to verify the name as lawmakers pointed out that it is a seeming combination of restaurant and snack brand names.
The agency also said that there are no records of a certain Kokoy Villamin – a name which appears in the OVP and DepEd acknowledgement receipts but have different handwritings and signatures.
“Ensuring the authenticity of these recipients is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. We are committed to uncovering the truth behind these transactions,” Chua said.
Other issues that lawmakers flagged were acknowledgement receipts that bear no date, name, or signature; the alleged physical disbursement of payments nationwide within one day; and the P16-million spending for safe houses within 11 days.
