The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has revealed that it found no civil registry records for “Kokoy Villamin,” a name that allegedly appeared on acknowledgment receipts submitted by Vice President Sara Duterte’s office to justify the use of confidential funds.
This disclosure follows a similar finding regarding “Mary Grace Piattos,” another name associated with receipts submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA) for confidential expenses. Both names are now at the center of growing scrutiny over the OVP’s financial practices.
PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande confirmed that their search yielded no “Kokoy Villamin” records in their database.
“We received a request to verify the identity, but we found no record of such a person,” Grande said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo. She noted that while “Kokoy” could be a nickname, official documents must include full legal names for verification.
A lawmaker previously flagged the name “Kokoy Villamin” for appearing on multiple receipts in 2022 and 2023 but with inconsistent handwriting and signatures, raising suspicions of irregularities.
No trace of ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ either
Earlier this week, the PSA reported a similar finding for “Mary Grace Piattos,” whose name appeared on receipts tied to the OVP’s 2022 confidential fund spending. Grande clarified that no birth, marriage, or death records exist for the name in the PSA’s database.
The name drew public attention due to its similarity to a popular restaurant and snack brand, leading lawmakers to suspect it was fabricated. Some lawmakers even offered a ₱1 million reward for anyone who could provide credible information about “Piattos.”
Grande explained that while certain unregistered individuals might exist due to marginalization or gaps in civil registration, additional information has yet to be provided to conduct a deeper search for Piattos.
Controversy over OVP confidential funds
The COA previously reported that the OVP spent ₱375 million in confidential expenses in 2023. Critics have flagged what they describe as “highly irregular” practices in the disbursement and liquidating these funds, citing the use of potentially fictitious names on receipts.
During a recent House hearing, a special disbursing officer for the OVP suggested that “Piattos” is a legitimate surname found in Davao City. Still, further evidence has yet to be provided to support this claim.
Vice President Duterte has categorically denied allegations of corruption, dismissing the House investigation as politically motivated. She declined to comment directly on “Mary Grace Piattos,” stating she had not seen the specific receipt.
Public and legislative response
The revelations have fueled public skepticism and calls for greater accountability. Lawmakers continue to probe the OVP’s confidential fund usage, with many demanding stricter safeguards to prevent misuse.
As the investigation unfolds, both names—“Kokoy Villamin” and “Mary Grace Piattos”—have become symbolic of broader concerns about transparency and accountability in government spending.