HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader La Union Representative Paolo P. Ortega V chided Vice President Sara Duterte for dismissing allegations regarding fictitious names in the disbursement confidential funds.

Ortega said her nonchalant response reflects alleged clear disregard for accountability.

“Ipinakita niya na wala siyang pakialam sa isyung ito. Instead of addressing the mounting evidence against her, she continues to shrug it off as if it were a joke,” Ortega said.

“She should be preparing for her impeachment trial, not making light of allegations involving potentially hundreds of millions in public funds,” he added.

The lawmaker criticized Duterte’s latest remarks brushing off the existence of questionable fund recipients, including five individuals all named “Dodong,” as well as “Jay Kamote” and “Miggy Mango.”

It can be recalled that there are suspicious names in the list of beneficiaries of Duterte’s confidential funds such “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Pia Piatos-Lim,” “Renan Piatos” and “Xiaome Ocho,” all of which resemble snack brands and phone companies.

“Kung wala talagang anomalya, bakit ganito karaming katawa-tawang pangalan ang nasa listahan ng confidential fund recipients ng OVP?” Ortega asked.

“Dapat ay sinisigurado nilang maayos ang liquidation ng pondo, pero lumalabas na parang ginagawang mababaw ang usapin.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has confirmed that many of the alleged recipients of confidential funds listed under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) have no birth, marriage or death records.

“Dapat iniimbestigahan ito, hindi binabalewala. These are public funds, not play money,” Ortega added.

“Her dismissal of the issue only raises more suspicions. Parang imaginary payroll ito. Hindi natin matukoy kung totoong tao ba ang mga tumanggap ng perang galing sa CIF,” Ortega said.

“Wala siyang sagot, kundi pagtanggi at pagbalewala.”

Ortega said Duterte’s continued refusal to take these allegations seriously only damages her credibility further.

“Kung wala siyang kasalanan, bakit hindi siya ang nangungunang humihiling ng imbestigasyon? Kung totoo ang mga pangalan, bakit hindi niya ipakita ang listahan sa publiko?” he said.

He warned that Duterte’s impeachment trial would not be a mere political exercise but a test of public accountability.

“If she believes in the rule of law, she must submit herself to the process. Patunayan niyang wala siyang kasalanan – hindi sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggi, kundi sa pamamagitan ng ebidensya.”

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Jester P. Manalastas