House prosecutors stated on Monday that it is too early to conclude whether names listed on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential fund receipts—such as “Mary Grace Piattos”—are fictitious.
Speaking after day 11 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua clarified that the prosecution is currently prioritizing findings from the Commission on Audit (COA), specifically the grounds for issuing an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM).
”Well, hindi pa natin, wala pa tayo sa puntong ‘yun. Dahil sa ngayon, ang pinakikita pa lang po natin… ito yung findings ng COA. Kung paano niya sinabi, kung bakit siya nag-recommend ng audit observation memo,” Chua said.
Chua noted that an AOM is issued when auditors spot deficiencies or potential irregularities, such as missing documentation or non-compliance with auditing rules.
He pointed to an acknowledgment receipt signed by “Mary Grace Piattos,” which listed a purchase of a reward while simultaneously marking medicine, leaving the true nature of the expense unclear.
”Lumalabas, meron pa nga doon kay Mary Grace Piatos… yung purchase of reward, may nakalagay medicine. So, hindi malaman kung ang pinambayad ay medicine,” he said.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, speaking for the prosecution panel, reiterated that confidential fund expenditures demand strict compliance, pointing to testimony from former COA State Auditor Roderick Wamil.
”Ang sinabi ni Atty. Wamil is strict compliance kasi pera ng taong-bayan itong pinaggagamitan dito sa confidential activities,” Adiong said.
Adiong emphasized that acknowledgment receipts alone cannot prove a transaction’s legitimacy. He added that supporting documentation, such as sales invoices, is necessary to substantiate purchases like medicine.
The prosecution panel maintained that the trial’s immediate focus is determining whether these confidential fund usages adhered to COA guidelines, not yet whether listed recipients were actual people or fabrications.