NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
VP Sara Duterte Ignored COA's Rules On Confidential Funds - House Leader Asks, 'What's She Hiding?'
Photo credit: Sara Duterte
Did Vice President Sara Duterte intentionally ignore the rules on listing recipients of P612.5 million in confidential funds? A House leader seems to think so.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union called out the VP for refusing to comply with the Commission on Audit’s (COA) requirement to properly document where the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) spent their confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).
“It’s not that they failed to comply—they flat-out refused,” Ortega said. “If you’re hiding something, of course, you’ll have a problem with transparency.”
Confidential Funds, Fake Recipients?
House lawmakers have been investigating allegations of misuse of the OVP’s confidential funds, with Manila Rep. Joel Chua leading the probe. COA guidelines require that a sealed list of actual CIF beneficiaries be submitted to protect the identities of intelligence operatives.
But here’s the twist: some supposed payees listed by the OVP included fake names like Mary Grace Piattos—a name that sounds more like a snack brand than an actual person. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) even confirmed that many of these so-called beneficiaries had no birth or marriage records.
Chua emphasized that strict guidelines exist precisely to ensure these funds are used properly. “Why would COA require this level of security if the names weren’t real? The system is in place to protect genuine informants, not made-up ones,” he explained.
Where’s the Accountability?
Former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza weighed in, saying that as head of an agency, it’s Duterte’s responsibility to make sure public funds are protected.
“One of the safeguards is keeping a journal that can be inspected by COA when needed,” Mendoza said. “Yes, aliases can be used, but the real names should still be documented separately. At the end of the day, the priority should be transparency and accountability.”
Despite multiple hearings and repeated calls for cooperation, VP Duterte has refused to participate in the House inquiry. The question now remains: Why not comply if there’s nothing to hide?
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union called out the VP for refusing to comply with the Commission on Audit’s (COA) requirement to properly document where the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) spent their confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).
“It’s not that they failed to comply—they flat-out refused,” Ortega said. “If you’re hiding something, of course, you’ll have a problem with transparency.”
Confidential Funds, Fake Recipients?
House lawmakers have been investigating allegations of misuse of the OVP’s confidential funds, with Manila Rep. Joel Chua leading the probe. COA guidelines require that a sealed list of actual CIF beneficiaries be submitted to protect the identities of intelligence operatives.
But here’s the twist: some supposed payees listed by the OVP included fake names like Mary Grace Piattos—a name that sounds more like a snack brand than an actual person. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) even confirmed that many of these so-called beneficiaries had no birth or marriage records.
Chua emphasized that strict guidelines exist precisely to ensure these funds are used properly. “Why would COA require this level of security if the names weren’t real? The system is in place to protect genuine informants, not made-up ones,” he explained.
Where’s the Accountability?
Former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza weighed in, saying that as head of an agency, it’s Duterte’s responsibility to make sure public funds are protected.
“One of the safeguards is keeping a journal that can be inspected by COA when needed,” Mendoza said. “Yes, aliases can be used, but the real names should still be documented separately. At the end of the day, the priority should be transparency and accountability.”
Despite multiple hearings and repeated calls for cooperation, VP Duterte has refused to participate in the House inquiry. The question now remains: Why not comply if there’s nothing to hide?
Feb 28, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
