Duterte confidential fund recipients have surnames similar to lawmakers - solon
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Office of Vice President (OVP) Sara Duterte used its controversial confidential funds in paying individuals whose surnames are similar to lawmakers, a congressman bared on Thursday, May 29.
La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega said there were recipients whose surnames are similar to senators: Beth Revilla, Kristine Applegate Estrada, Clarisse Hontiveros, Denise Tanya Escudero, Janice Marie Revilla, Diane Maple Lapid, and John A. Lapid Jr.
Kris Solon and Paul M. Solon, meanwhile, are beneficiaries whose last names are similar to Sarangani Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon.
“Pambihira dinadamay pati mga apelyido ng ating esteemed senators. Ganyan po kagarapal ang listahan ng supposed beneficiaries ng OVP confidential funds,” Ortega said in a statement.
[Translation: Unbelievable, they even dragged the surnames of our esteemed senators. That is how blatant the list of the supposed OVP confidential fund beneficiaries is.]
“Tapos may ‘Solon’ pa na ka-apelyido ng ating kasamahan na si congressman Steve Solon,” he said.
[Translation: There are also “Solons” who have the same surname as our colleague Steve Solon.]
Apart from the infamous Mary Grace Piattos, Ortega revealed that there is a recipient whose surname is similar to a bakeshop: Cannor Adrian Contis.
“Kapag ba may confidential funds ang opisina mo, may sweet tooth ka din?” Ortega jested.
[Translation: If your office has confidential funds, does it mean you also have a sweet tooth?]
The lawmaker noted that the flagged names are not in the Philippine Statistics Authority system.
Previously, Ortega shared supposed dubious confidential fund beneficiaries who have names similar to a cellphone brand and grocery items.
The House good government committee has been investigating Duterte’s alleged mismanagement of confidential funds worth P612.5 million.
Ortega said that the names will be used as evidence when the Senate convenes as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial on June 3.
