THE House prosecution panel on Thursday rejected the comparison made by Senator-Judge Robin Padilla between Filipino revolutionaries who used pseudonyms and the alleged recipients of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s confidential funds who are hiding behind aliases.
Prosecution spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the distinction between the two is clear.
“Hindi po pwede natin gamitin yung mga nom de guerre ng mga naging bayani na nagsakripisyo sa ating bansa,” he told a press conference.
During Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment on Wednesday, Padilla raised the issue of the use of aliases in confidential operations, saying even national heroes hid behind aliases to protect their identities.
Alonto Adiong however said the aliases were used in the fight for independence, not for the receipt of public funds. “Nung oras na may himagsikan sa bansa para sa kasarinlan ng ating bansa,” he said.
The lawmaker then contrasted that with the use of aliases such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” in confidential fund receipts used to support the OVP’s use of the public funds.
“Dito naman sa mga tao na hindi mo malaman ang identity niya kasi alias, baka tinatago ang identity at tumatanggap ng confidential funds,” he said.
The prosecution has repeatedly cited questionable acknowledgment receipts and names linked to the OVP’s confidential fund liquidation.
The Commission on Audit’s 2023 confidential funds report also pointed to a lack of supporting documents, including expenses supported only by acknowledgment receipts.
Alonto Adiong said the Vice President, national heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio had confidential funds.
“Wala naman po confidential funds na tinatanggap ang Gat Jose Rizal,” he said. “Hindi naman po ata tumanggap ng confidential funds si Gat Bonifacio.”
He continued: “Ang problema po dito sa aliases na ginagamit ay nagdudulot po ito ng confusion sa COA. Ito po (ay) isang audit error na hindi po masolusyonan ng OVP dahil sila po nag-request at kulang-kulang ang kanilang dokumento.”
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co reminded Padilla that national heroes used aliases when lives and liberty were at risk during the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
“Nung ginamit yung mga aliases na yun ng ating mga bayani, ang at stake ay peril to life,” Co said.
The issue in the confidential fund case, she said, is different. “Dito naman po sa confidential and intelligence funds, receipt of government money,” Co said. “Hindi pwede silang ipagtumbas.”
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