Malacañang on Thursday pushed back against Senator Robinhood Padilla’s comparison between the aliases used by Philippine national heroes and the questionable names appearing on Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential fund receipts, stating the two scenarios are fundamentally different.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that while the administration avoids passing judgment on Padilla’s opinions, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the Palace view the context behind the aliases completely differently.
“Unang-una, ayaw po nating manghusga… pero iba po kasi ang nakikita ng PCO, ng Palasyo,” Castro said.
During the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, Padilla defended the presence of unusual names, such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Timon Andrew Pusa,” “Antonio Pagong” and “Shane Ngitngit,” on acknowledgement receipts documenting the payout of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF), citing how historic figures relied on pseudonyms.
Castro sharply contrasted the motives, noting that national heroes hid their identities while risking their lives to fight foreign invaders, whereas the current beneficiaries concealed their names while receiving public money.
“Ang mga bayani noon ay lumalaban para sa bayan, itinatago ang pagkakakilanlan para sa bayan pero iyong iba ngayon, itinatago ang pagkakakilanlan para sa bayad,” Castro emphasized.
She added that unlike real historical figures who sacrificed sweat and blood, there is no guarantee that the individuals listed on the expenditure receipts are actual people rather than “ghost beneficiaries.”