HOUSE leaders on Tuesday warned of potential fraud and systemic misuse of public funds in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) under Vice President Sara Duterte after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) certified that “Mary Grace Piattos,” a supposed recipient of OVP confidential funds, does not exist.
Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-list) and Committee on Women and Gender Equality Chair Geraldine Roman (Bataan, 1st District) said the fake identity may signal a larger scheme of falsified OVP financial records, which poses serious risks to public accountability.
The PSA certification confirmed that no birth, marriage, or death records exist for Piattos, a name appearing in acknowledgment receipts submitted by the OVP to the Commission on Audit (COA). These receipts were used to justify expenses from OVP confidential funds, totaling P500 million across four quarters from late 2022 to 2023.
“In effect, that certification means Mary Grace Piattos does not exist and has serious implications,” Roman said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives.
Roman explained that the use of a fictitious name in financial records submitted to a government auditing body suggests deliberate fraud.
“When you submit documents to the COA na merong taong nagngangalang Mary Grace Piattos, na magja-justify ng certain gastos pero mapatunayan mong wala, parang merong element of fraud doon,” she pointed out.
She further emphasized that the absence of Piattos as a real person invalidates all documents bearing her name.
“Kung walang Mary Grace Piattos, lahat ng dokumentong pinirmahan ni Mary Grace Piattos ay huwad at hindi makatotohanan,” she said.
With no birth, marriage, or death records of Piattos in the national civil registry, Acidre said her fabricated identity may only scratch the surface of deeper irregularities in the OVP’s financial records under Vice President Duterte.
“Hindi lamang si Mary Grace Piattos ang problema. Tip of the iceberg lang siya,” Acidre stressed.
Acidre described the PSA findings as a significant turning point in uncovering potential misuse of public funds.
“Maganda po na nanggaling na mismo sa PSA ang pagtitibay na wala pong taong nagngangalang Mary Grace Piattos,” he said.
He warned that the discovery of one falsified receipt raises questions about the authenticity of other financial records submitted by the OVP.
“Kung may nakita tayong mali sa isa, hindi malayong ganun din ‘yung iba. May Latin dictum ‘yun eh—falsus in unum, falsus in omnibus,” Acidre said.
“Kung sa pagkakataong ito gawa-gawa ang mga dokumento ni Mary Grace Piattos, gawa-gawa si Mary Grace Piattos, eh nanakawan po ang taong bayan,” he added.
Acidre also pointed to other findings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, revealing systemic lapses in how the OVP handled its confidential funds.
He cited the testimony from OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, who admitted to transferring custody of confidential funds to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, commander of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, upon direct orders from Vice President Duterte.
Acidre argued that this transfer bypassed standard financial safeguards, undermining accountability and potentially constituting technical malversation.
He also flagged inconsistencies in the receipts themselves, such as mismatched signatures, identical handwriting, and uniform ink usage.
“Kita natin doon magkakaibang pangalan, parehong pangalan, magkakaibang pirma, minsan pare-pareho ng ballpen at nag-iisang tinta lang,” he pointed out.
Acidre clarified that while Congress cannot prosecute, the findings should be forwarded to the Department of Justice for further action.
“Ang trabaho natin ay maglahad ng recommendations at sana ho tignan ng ating piskalya o ng DOJ itong mga ebidensya for what it is,” she said.
Acidre emphasized that the patterns of irregularity in the OVP’s financial documents strengthen the case for technical malversation.
“Kung spurious ito on a large scale, baka umabot tayo sa technical malversation,” he said
Romualdez: Full Budget Support for AFP, P350 Daily Allowance
‘We always remain loyal to our Constitution’
IN line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday afternoon reaffirmed the House of Representatives commitment to supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during a courtesy call by 17 generals and senior flag officers at the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives.
The delegation, referred by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo, include top-ranking AFP officials who discussed key priorities and challenges faced by the military.
In his address, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of providing adequate resources for the AFP to safeguard national security and maintain peace and order.
He assured the officers of his unwavering support for initiatives that enhance the welfare of military personnel, including his proposal for an additional P350 daily subsistence allowance for soldiers as part of the Marcos administration’s commitment to improving the living conditions of those in uniform.
“Our soldiers are the backbone of our nation’s security and defense. We must ensure they have the resources they need to serve with honor and dedication,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“The House of Representatives will continue to work closely with the AFP leadership to address pressing concerns, including adequate funding for operations, modernization efforts, and the welfare of our men and women in uniform,” the Speaker said.
The AFP delegation expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s proactive efforts in championing legislative measures that support the military, particularly in ensuring sufficient budget allocations for its modernization program and personnel welfare initiatives.
“We are very happy na binigyan kami ng time ng ating honorable congressmen led by the Speaker of the House, Congressman Martin Romualdez. We are delighted that he spent a precious time for us to meet the newly-promoted generals and flag ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Lt. Gen. Jimmy D. Larida, commander of Southern Luzon Command (SolCom).
“The Speaker of the House reiterated the commitment, and on behalf of our Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and the entire grateful members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we are very, very thankful sa confirmation na ibinigay po sa atin ng Speaker ng House, that they will provide the promised increase of our subsistence allowance,” Larida said.
“The Speaker also reiterated the House of Representatives’ commitment to the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Maraming salamat po sa ating Speaker of the House and again, on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we always remain loyal to our Constitution,” he said.
Other top AFP officials who joined the courtesy call include Lt. Gen. Augustine S. Malinit, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF); Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio E. Ezpeleta, vice commander of the Philippine Navy; Rear Adm. Alan M. Javier, chief of naval staff; Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, chief of staff of the Philippine Army and others.
Other House leaders who joined the short meeting include House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla, 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero, Pangasinan Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. and others.
The Speaker also highlighted the need to fast-track the implementation of programs aimed at uplifting soldiers’ morale, particularly those deployed in remote and high-risk areas.
He assured the officers that the proposed budget for 2025 includes provisions to address these needs.
As part of the discussion, the officers also provided updates on the AFP’s current operational priorities, including disaster response, counter-insurgency operations and the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to assist former rebels in reintegrating into society.
The meeting concluded with Speaker Romualdez reiterating his full support for the AFP’s endeavors and calling on Congress to work as a united front in ensuring the military’s success in its vital mission for the nation.
