Vice President Sara Duterte expressed confidence that she can disprove allegations of using fictitious names in her office’s confidential fund spending—should her impeachment trial proceed in the Senate.
Speaking outside the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague on July 9, Duterte said her legal team is gathering evidence and witness affidavits to address the claims head-on.
“It can be very well addressed during trial. So, our lawyers are preparing for the trial and collecting pieces of evidence and gathering affidavits from witnesses that they will present during trial,” she stated.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, after skipping several congressional hearings on the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education in 2023. Lawmakers questioned documents that appeared to bear the names of fabricated recipients, including “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Fernando Tempura,” and “Carlos Miguel Oishi.”
But the Vice President urged the public to be cautious of the narratives coming from the House, particularly regarding the allegedly fake names.
“I think it is wrong for everyone to pick up as truth or as a fact all the pronouncements of the members of the House of Representatives, particularly with the fictitious names,” Duterte said, emphasizing that aliases are often part of standard intelligence operations.
She confirmed that intelligence professionals will testify on their behalf if the Senate moves forward with the trial.
“That can be discussed during the trial, ma’am. I do not want to elaborate on intelligence operations,” she added.
If no trial proceeds, Duterte said she would address the allegations publicly instead.
Meanwhile, Duterte is in the Netherlands with her 12-year-old son, who met his grandfather, former President Rodrigo Duterte, for the first time since the latter was detained in The Hague. The Vice President quoted her father telling her son: “I am not here because I am a kidnapper, robber, holdupper, or thief. I am here because I did things for my country and I do not regret going after criminals and people dealing with illegal drugs.”
Duterte is expected to return to the Philippines on July 28—skipping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address—and will attend a “Free Duterte Rally” the day before.
