Photo courtesy: VP Sara. File photo

MANILA, Philippines – Over 400 names registered as recipients of the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education have no birth records and about 200 have duplicate names according to the Philippine Statistics Office. 

“Kahapon lumabas na rin ‘yung findings ng PSA pagdating sa 677 na isinumite naming pangalan. Out of 677 na isinumite namin, more than 400 ang lumalabas na walang lumalabas na birth record. More than 200 naman ang lumalabas na maraming kapangalan,” chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Rep. Joel Chua said in an interview on Teleradyo. 

The new revelation came after the PSA released verification that Mary Grace Piattos, the most controversial name whose signature was affixed on the acknowledgement receipts submitted to the Commission on Audit, had no birth, marriage or death record. 

The hearing is now nearing its close and the committee is preparing its year-end wrap up including recommendations of the members in so far as the confidential funds are concerned. 

Duterte had earlier denied allegations of corruption and fund misuse saying the House investigation was in fact part of a political persecution given her soured relations with the administration. 

Last November, the Vice President refused to comment on the issue of Mary Grace Piattos because she had not seen the receipt where Piattos’ name appeared. 

Lawmakers offered to raise P1 million reward to whoever can provide information on the identity of Piattos.