Several names linked to Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential fund expenditures have once again raised red flags among House lawmakers—this time, for closely resembling the surnames of sitting senators.
During a House briefing on Thursday, May 29, Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V revealed that the review of thousands of receipts from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) unearthed peculiar entries that include names similar to Senators Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, and Chiz Escudero.
Among the flagged names were Beth Revilla, Janice Marie Revilla, Diane Maple Lapid, John A. Lapid Jr., Clarisse Hontiveros, Kristine Applegate Estrada, and Denise Tanya Escudero. Ortega described them as “glaring irregularities,” stressing that none of these names appear in the Philippine Statistics Authority’s official records.
“Hanggang Senado po, hindi na pinalampas nitong ‘Budol Gang.’ Pambihira, dinadamay pati mga apelyido ng ating esteemed senators,” Ortega said, expressing disbelief at how even the surnames of lawmakers were seemingly co-opted.
Records show that the OVP spent around P500 million in confidential and intelligence funds from late 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, supposedly for social programs and operational security. However, out of the 1,992 names listed as fund recipients, the PSA confirmed that most could not be found in their birth, marriage, or death registries—one even oddly named “Mary Grace Piattos.”
The congressional investigation not only questions the actual disbursement of these funds but also the identities of those who allegedly received them. Adding to the concerns is the revelation that Duterte’s security personnel, not the designated special disbursing officers, were the ones handing out the money—an action allegedly made under her direct orders.
Furthermore, the receipts submitted as proof of disbursement are riddled with inconsistencies. While the OVP dismissed the discrepancies as mere clerical errors, lawmakers like Ortega see a deeper problem.
“Public funds ang pinag-uusapan. Kung wala silang maipakitang ebidensya na tunay ang mga taong ito, ito mismo ang magiging matibay na ebidensya laban sa kanya sa impeachment trial,” Ortega warned, pointing out the possible legal consequences if the recipients turn out to be fictitious.
The disputed spending is at the core of the second article in the impeachment complaint against Duterte, which also covers the alleged misuse of P112.5 million in confidential funds while serving as Education Secretary.
As Congress prepares to return to session in June, the impeachment proceedings are expected to bring more clarity—and likely more controversy—surrounding the OVP’s handling of confidential funds.
“Kung hindi maipaliwanag kung sino talaga ang tumanggap ng pondo, the burden falls squarely on the Vice President,” Ortega said.
