MANILA, Philippines – The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability confirmed that 405 out of the 677 individuals listed as recipients of confidential funds, based on acknowledgement receipts submitted by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), are “non-existent.”

“Tayo po ay sumulat upang isumite ang 677 pang pangalan na nakalagay sa acknowledgement receipt ng DepEd, kung saan tayo po ay binigyan ng tugon ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noong December 8, 2024. Dito, kanila pong sinabi na out of 677 individuals, 405 ay walang birth certificate o walang record sa birth certificate, o pwede nating sabihin na non-existent,” stated committee chairperson Rep. Joel Chua.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also pointed out discrepancies involving three individuals named “Alice Crescencio.” He noted that these three supposed recipients had different signatures and addresses.

Adiong explained that, based on the acknowledgement receipts (ARs), one “Alice Crescencio” was listed as living in Pasay City, another in Iligan City, and the third in Lanao del Sur. He added that the names “Alice Crescencio” are among those found to have no records with the PSA.

Adiong also highlighted that some signatories in the ARs appeared to share the same signature. He cited the names “Milky Secuya,” “Sally Rendon,” and “Shiela Dado” as examples of such irregularities.

“For me, Mr. Chair, only one person did these ARs but merely changed his handwriting style from print to script in writing the name and the addresses but also forgetting probably to change the signature,” Adiong stressed.

He further stated, “One thing is extremely clear to this representation, tayo po ay na-scam sa pamamagitan ng libo-libong ARs na basta lamang dinoktor o gawa-gawa lamang.”

Adiong revealed that nearly 5,000 ARs of dubious origin were submitted in exchange for P612.5 million in confidential funds that have seemingly disappeared from the national coffers.

📷 Screenshot from House of Representatives of the Philippines FB