As fresh impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte loom, Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said potential witness Ramil Madriaga could help reveal the real identities behind “Mary Grace Piattos” and other questionable names linked to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Ridon, who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts, said Madriaga’s testimony could shed light on the whereabouts of around ₱612 million in confidential funds associated with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Kung may alam si Mr. Madriaga tungkol sa mga bogus na pangalan, panahon na para mailahad ito at magkaroon ng linaw, para magkaliwanagan na, lalo’t hindi ito sinasagot ni Vice President Duterte,” Ridon said.
Madriaga earlier surfaced in a leaked affidavit identifying himself as Duterte’s alleged “bagman,” claiming that her 2022 campaign was funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug syndicates.
His lawyer, Raymund Palad, said Madriaga is prepared to testify before Congress, the Senate, or the Office of the Ombudsman if summoned.
The name “Mary Grace Piattos” was first flagged by the late Antipolo City 2nd District Representative Representative Romeo Acop after it appeared on receipts as a supposed recipient of confidential funds.
Other suspicious names listed in liquidation documents include Mico Harina, Ralph Josh Bacon, Patty Ting, Sala Casim, Amoy Liu, Fernan Amuy, Joug De Asim, and Xiaome Ocho.
Ridon noted that many of these names have no corresponding records with the Philippine Statistics Authority, raising serious questions about their authenticity.
“Public funds come with public accountability. If these names are bogus, then someone must answer for how they were created, approved and liquidated,” he said.