Ridon wants ex-VP Sara aide to unmask ‘Mary Grace Piattos’

House Committee on Public Accounts chairperson Terry Ridon on Sunday called on Ramil Madriaga, a former aide of Vice President Sara Duterte, to unmask the real identities behind the controversial aliases used in the confidential funds in the offices run by Duterte, which includes the infamous “Mary Grace Piattos.” 

“Kung may alam si Mr. Madriaga tungkol sa mga bogus na pangalan, panahon na para mailahad ito at magkaroon ng linaw, para magkaliwanagan na, lalo’t hindi ito sinasagot ni Vice President Duterte,” Ridon said in a statement. 

(If Mr. Madriaga knows something about these bogus names, it’s time for him to come forward and clarify things so we can settle this once and for all, especially since Vice President Duterte isn't addressing the issue.) 

“Mary Grace Piattos” and other aliases allegedly received hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). 

But Duterte denied having links to Madriaga, alleging that he is working to undermine her possible plans to run for president. 

For his part, Ridon believes Madriaga could explain the controversial names found in the liquidation documents submitted by the OVP and the DepEd to the Commission on Audit. 

“If Mr. Madriaga knows the process, the handlers, and the real persons behind these entries, then his account can help close the gaps that continue to trouble this issue,” the lawmaker said. 

Atty. Raymund Palad, Madriaga’s counsel, said on Saturday that his client is willing to participate in investigations should he be called to appear by the House, Senate or Ombudsman following his issuance of an affidavit.

The defense team of the vice president earlier said that they are ready to explain the use of aliases for confidential funds, such as the infamous “Mary Grace Piattos” that became one of the basis for the impeachment complaints filed against her. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News