VP Duterte declines to comment on lawmakers’ search for ‘Mary Grace Piattos’

November 20, 2024 , 09:53 PM

By Clarist Mae Zablan

(November 20, 2024) – Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on Wednesday declined to comment on some lawmakers’ search for a certain “Mary Grace Piattos” said to be linked to the controversial use of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

During a press briefing at the OVP Caraga satellite office, the vice president explained that she has not seen the acknowledgement receipts (ARs) that supposedly contained the name.

She explained that all of the documents concerned did not go through her, but straight to the office’s special disbursing officer. Afterwards, these are submitted to the Intelligence and Confidential Fund Audit Unit of the Commission on Audit.

“So hindi ako maka-comment, lalong-lalo na, na hindi namin alam kung paano pinroseso ang pagbigay ng copies ng (acknowledgement rceipts) or ng submissions namin sa COA to the House of Representatives and sino ang nagha-handle noong mga documents,” Duterte said.

The name “Mary Grace Piattos” appeared in the OVP’s acknowledgement receipts submitted to state auditors to account for the office’s confidential expenses. But lawmakers were skeptical if this is a real person’s name, suspecting that it may have been based on the names of two popular food brands.

The solons have raised a P1-million reward for those who can provide information on the identity of “Mary Grace Piattos.”

The House House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has been investigating the alleged questionable spending under Duterte’s office and the Department of Education under her leadership. The inquiry included the P125-million confidential spending under the OVP in 2022.

Duterte has denied the allegations of irregularities in the OVP’s spending. She has also accused lawmakers in the Lower House of plotting an impeachment bid against her.

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