'Chippy McDonald,' 'Miggy Mango' soon to come up in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The names “Chippy McDonald” and “Miggy Mango” may soon come up in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as the Senate impeachment court continues to tackle Article I of the complaint.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V said the two names are expected to be raised during the trial, following discussions involving “Mary Grace Piattos.”

“Hindi natin maikakaila na siya yung pinakasikat talaga, si Mary Grace Piattos, pero baka nandiyan na rin sila Chippy McDonald, Miggy Mango," Ortega told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(We cannot deny that Mary Grace Piattos is the most famous, but Chippy McDonald and Miggy Mango may also come up.)

"Abangan po natin kasi may mga diskarte naman po diyan yung ating mga prosecutor. I’m sure ma-didiscuss po yan,” he added.

(Let’s wait and see, as our prosecutors have their own strategies. I’m sure these names will be discussed.)

Ortega said the trial should help establish where the confidential funds actually went and whether the individuals listed as recipients received the money.

“Ang sinasabi ko nga po, kung may complete stamp, due diligence, tamang intention, at tamang pamamaraan ng pag-liquidate, hindi po siguro aabot sa puntong ganito. So, mainam na makita kung saan po talaga napunta at kung may nakatanggap ng pera,” he added.

(What I’m saying is that if there were complete documentation, due diligence, proper intent, and the correct liquidation procedures were followed, I don’t think it would have reached this point. So, it would be better to determine where the money actually went and whether anyone received it.)

The Senate impeachment court is currently tackling Article I of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of committing impeachable offenses through the alleged systematic misappropriation and irregular liquidation of P500 million in confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million released to the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure as Education secretary.

Earlier this week, the House prosecution panel said it plans to seek a subpoena for Mary Grace Piattos to compel her to appear at Duterte’s impeachment trial.

According to acknowledgment receipts submitted by the OVP to the Commission on Audit (COA), Mary Grace Piattos was listed as among the recipients of the OVP’s 2022 confidential funds, purportedly receiving P70,000.

She is also included in the House prosecution panel’s list of witnesses for Duterte’s impeachment trial, based on its pre-trial brief.

READ: Who else signed OVP receipts for P125M confidential funds besides Mary Grace Piattos?

‘Prove the statement’

Meanwhile, Ortega said Duterte should substantiate her claim that there was “bending of the law” in her impeachment trial.

“Kailangan niyang patunayan yung statement niya kasi dumaan naman sa tamang proseso. Nakita naman ng lahat yung mga hearings ng Committee on Justice,” Ortega said.

(She needs to prove her statement because the proceedings went through the proper process. Everyone saw the hearings of the Committee on Justice.)

Duterte made the allegation on Friday as she criticized how the impeachment proceedings were being conducted.

“Simula pa sa House of Representatives hanggang sa pagkakaroon ng dalawang tao na nakaupo doon sa stage o rostrum o elevated platform, hindi na kailangang guluhin ang impeachment dahil magulo na siya sa bending the law,” Duterte said.

(From the House of Representatives to having two people seated on the stage, rostrum, or elevated platform, there is no need to complicate the impeachment proceedings any further because they are already confusing due to the bending of the law.)

Ortega also said he believes the questions being asked during the impeachment trial have been balanced and fair, adding that he respects the defense and prosecution panels as well as the impeachment court.

“We can argue, we can debate, we can exchange thoughts kapag nandiyan naman ang respeto kahit na may sinasabi silang kinikilingan o wala, importanteng lumabas pa rin ang katotohanan,” he said.

(We can argue, debate, and exchange ideas as long as there is mutual respect. Regardless of whether there are allegations of bias, what is important is that the truth still comes out.) — MCG, GMA News