The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could soon expose additional fictitious or unverified names used in confidential fund expenditures, following the testimony of a key state auditor.
House Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V indicated that the prosecution’s examination of Commission on Audit (COA) witness Xylene Mae del Campo, supervising state auditor for intelligence funds, will likely uncover more questionable identities beyond those already public.
“Well, hindi natin maikakaila na siya yung pinakasikat talaga, si Mary Grace Piatos, pero baka nandyan na rin po sila, susunod na rin po sila Chippy McDonald, sila Miggy Mango. Abangan po natin kasi may mga diskarte naman po dyan yung ating prosecutors. I’m sure mag-discuss po yan,” Ortega said in a radio interview.
Del Campo’s testimony focuses on audit findings regarding over P600 million in combined confidential funds used by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) under Duterte, specifically addressing whether listed recipients on acknowledgment receipts can be verified.
“Tuloy po yun, tuloy po yung nakalinya po dun sa pag-presenta ng ating witness,” Ortega confirmed.
The inquiry follows widespread attention over unverified names like “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Milky Secuya,” and “Kokoy Villamin.”
Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that 1,322 out of 1,992 submitted names for the OVP’s P500-million fund lacked birth records, while 405 out of 677 names for DepEd’s P112.5-million fund were similarly untraceable.
Under government auditing rules, unverified recipient identities can lead to disallowed transactions. Ortega stressed that the proceedings aim to determine proper documentation and accountability.
“Mainam po na makita talaga kung saan po talaga pumunta yung pera at kung may nakatanggap po ng pera,” Ortega said.