PSA finds no birth record for OVP confidential fund recipient

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) confirmed there is no birth record for 'Mary Grace Piattos,' who was listed as a recipient of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

A certification from the PSA, sent to Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, stated that 'Mary Grace Piattos' has no record of birth, marriage, or death in their Civil Registry System database.

This name appeared on acknowledgment receipts supposedly submitted by the OVP to the Commission on Audit (COA) to account for its P125 million confidential expenses in 2022.

The PSA noted that a more thorough search could be conducted if additional information, such as the parents' names or date and place of the vital event, is provided.

Lawmakers view the PSA's findings as proof that OVP officials may have fabricated receipts to justify the improper use of confidential funds.

The P125 million confidential fund was controversial as it was exhausted within 11 days and COA later disallowed P73 million due to non-submission of supporting documents.