The names “Chippy McDonald” and “Miggy Mango” may be brought up during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as senators examine where millions of pesos in confidential funds went, a House prosecutor said Sunday.
La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V, the House deputy majority leader, said the two names could come up in discussions similar to those involving “Mary Grace Piattos,” whose name appeared on acknowledgment receipts for confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
“Hindi natin maikakaila na siya yung pinakasikat talaga, si Mary Grace Piattos, pero baka nandiyan na rin sila Chippy McDonald, Miggy Mango,” Ortega told Super Radyo dzBB.
Ortega said prosecutors have their own strategies and may discuss the names during the trial.
“Abangan po natin kasi may mga diskarte naman po diyan yung ating mga prosecutor. I’m sure ma-didiscuss po yan,” he said.
He said the impeachment proceedings should help determine where the confidential funds went and whether the people listed as recipients actually received the money.
“Ang sinasabi ko nga po, kung may complete stamp, due diligence, tamang intention, at tamang pamamaraan ng pag-liquidate, hindi po siguro aabot sa puntong ganito. So, mainam na makita kung saan po talaga napunta at kung may nakatanggap ng pera,” Ortega said.
The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing Article I of the impeachment complaint against Duterte. The article accuses her of alleged systematic misuse and irregular liquidation of ₱500 million in confidential funds released to the OVP and ₱112.5 million released to the Department of Education (DepEd) while she was education secretary.
Earlier, the House prosecution panel said it would seek a subpoena for Mary Grace Piattos to compel her to testify.
According to acknowledgment receipts submitted by the OVP to the Commission on Audit, Piattos was listed as a recipient of ₱70,000 from the OVP’s 2022 confidential funds. She is also included in the prosecution panel’s list of witnesses.
Duterte challenged to back ‘bending the law’ claim
Ortega also challenged Duterte to substantiate her claim that the impeachment proceedings involved “bending the law.”
“Kailangan niyang patunayan yung statement niya kasi dumaan naman sa tamang proseso. Nakita naman ng lahat yung mga hearings ng Committee on Justice,” he said.
Duterte made the statement Friday while criticizing the way the impeachment proceedings were being conducted.
Ortega said he believes the questions raised during the trial have been balanced and fair.
He added that disagreements between the prosecution and defense are expected but stressed that respect should be maintained throughout the proceedings.
“We can argue, we can debate, we can exchange thoughts kapag nandiyan naman ang respeto kahit na may sinasabi silang kinikilingan o wala, importanteng lumabas pa rin ang katotohanan,” Ortega said.
