MANILA — Probe deepens in Vice President’s impeachment case
The House Committee on Justice has issued subpoenas seeking key documents tied to Vice President Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds, including records involving the controversial name “Mary Grace Piattos.”
The move forms part of the panel’s ongoing impeachment proceedings against the vice president.
SUBPOENA ORDERS COA AUDITOR TO TESTIFY
In a subpoena issued on March 31, the committee directed a state auditor from the Commission on Audit to appear at the April 14 hearing.
The auditor was instructed to present original records detailing the disbursement and liquidation of confidential funds handled by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2023.
Documents requested include checks, disbursement vouchers, liquidation reports, certifications, accomplishment reports, and proof of submission to Malacañang, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
QUESTIONABLE PAYEES FLAGGED
Lawmakers are scrutinizing several listed recipients of confidential funds, including:
- “Mary Grace Piattos”
- “Milky Secuya”
- “Kokoy Villamin”
- “Irene Tan”
“Mary Grace Piattos” drew particular attention due to its resemblance to a snack brand name. The Philippine Statistics Authority has confirmed that no official records: birth, marriage, or death, exist for such a person.
The panel is also examining documents with irregularities, including those that are unsigned, undated, incomplete, illegible, or appear to indicate “physically impossible” transactions.
Some records reportedly fall within periods when the OVP allegedly had no confidential funds available for disbursement.
BIR ORDERED TO RELEASE DUTERTE, SPOUSE TAX RECORDS
The committee has also directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue to submit tax records of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, covering the years 2007 to 2025.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza has been summoned to testify at the next hearing.
The request includes income tax returns and financial statements to verify filings and authenticate records tied to the couple.
BUSINESS INTERESTS ALSO UNDER REVIEW
The subpoena extends to multiple corporations allegedly linked to Duterte and her spouse, including:
- Metro City Chow Foods Corp.
- Gencorp Industries Inc.
- Carpio Lawyers
- 888 Bistro
- CALE88 Foods Corp.
- Madayaw Fisheries Corp.
- Mati City Ice Plant and Cold Storage Inc.
- Amianan Shores Inc.
- Geometry Security and Investigation Agency Inc.
- Cabletow 88 Shipping and Marine Services Inc.
Lawmakers said the documents would help establish financial connections and validate submitted records.
LAWYER SUMMONED OVER ‘BAGMAN’ AFFIDAVIT
The justice panel has also issued a subpoena to the lawyer who notarized the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, an individual alleged to have acted as Duterte’s intermediary or “bagman.”
The lawyer has been ordered to present Madriaga’s original affidavit and related documents during the hearing.
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING ENTER ‘MINI-TRIAL’ PHASE
The subpoenas were issued as part of the committee’s ongoing four-day “mini-trial,” following its finding that two impeachment complaints against Duterte have sufficient grounds to proceed to formal hearings.
Proceedings began on March 25 and are set to resume on April 14.
CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS CONTROVERSY
The controversy surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte centers on the use of confidential and intelligence funds allocated to her offices.
- Confidential funds are discretionary allocations intended for security and intelligence-related activities, often subject to limited public disclosure.
- Lawmakers have raised concerns over transparency, particularly regarding documentation and liquidation of these funds.
- The emergence of questionable or unverifiable names among listed beneficiaries has intensified scrutiny.
- The impeachment complaints stem from alleged misuse of public funds and accountability issues.
The case is being closely watched as it tests mechanisms of oversight, transparency, and accountability for high-ranking public officials in the Philippines.