Vice President Sara Duterte has refused to provide an explanation to the House of Representatives regarding the identities of individuals listed under unusual names, such as “Mary Grace Piattos” and “Chippy McDonalds,” as recipients of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) in 2022 and 2023.
Speaking at a press conference after a media thanksgiving lunch, Duterte said explaining the matter would compromise intelligence operations conducted by the OVP, DepEd, and other government agencies. “No, I will not explain. It will compromise how intelligence operations work,” she stated.
The controversy arose after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that 60% of the names listed in acknowledgment receipts (ARs) lacked records in the civil registry, including birth, marriage, or death certificates. The House Blue Ribbon Committee has offered a P1-million reward for anyone who can verify the identity of Mary Grace Piattos.
Duterte neither confirmed nor denied whether these names were code names, emphasizing that such statements could lead to additional legal cases against her. She also questioned the authenticity of the ARs being scrutinized by lawmakers, suggesting they may not match the documents submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA).
Addressing the possibility of changes to her security detail, Duterte expressed a preference for private security arrangements if the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) withdraws personnel from the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). She confirmed exploring options with private security providers, though denied plans to form a private army.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police assured Duterte of its readiness to ensure her safety, highlighting the professionalism of officers deployed to her security team. The National Bureau of Investigation expects to release its findings on alleged assassination threats against key government figures by early January 2025.
