Senator-judge Bam Aquino speaks during the 19th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial at the Senate on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Aquino clarified that his uncle, former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., used the alias “Marcial Bonifacio” but was not involved in the confidential fund acknowledgment receipts under scrutiny.
Senator-judge Bam Aquino pushed back on Wednesday after fellow senator-judge Robin Padilla invoked former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.’s use of an alias during a discussion on the identities appearing in acknowledgment receipts for Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
Padilla raised the issue while questioning prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia about historical figures who used aliases, including Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal. He sought to compare their use of assumed names with aliases used in confidential activities.
The exchange was tied to Article I of the impeachment case, which accuses Duterte of misusing confidential funds. Questions over the identities of alleged recipients have figured prominently in the scrutiny of acknowledgment receipts submitted to account for confidential expenditures.
Among the names previously questioned was “Mary Grace Piattos.” During a House inquiry, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that it found no birth, marriage or death record under that name following a verification request from lawmakers. The PSA, however, clarified that the absence of a record in its database does not necessarily prove that a person does not exist.
Padilla then brought up Ninoy Aquino’s use of “Marcial Bonifacio.” Divinagracia said she was initially unfamiliar with the reference, prompting Padilla to identify the former senator as the person behind the alias.
Bam Aquino, Ninoy’s nephew, confirmed the historical detail but distinguished it from the confidential fund controversy.
“Tama po, si Ninoy Aquino po ang kanyang alias, Marcial Bonifacio, para makauwi po siya sa Pilipinas no’ng nasa Boston siya, pero wala naman ho siyang confidential funds,” Aquino said.
“Wala ho siya sa mga AR ng confidential funds, lilinawin ko lang ho,” he added, referring to the acknowledgment receipts under examination in the impeachment proceedings.
Historical records show that Ninoy traveled as “Marcial Bonifacio” on his final journey home from the United States on Aug. 21, 1983. He was assassinated upon his arrival at Manila International Airport, which was subsequently renamed in his honor.