Vice President Sara Duterte clarified on Wednesday that the names associated with recipients of confidential funds during her time as Education Secretary and in the Office of the Vice President were aliases commonly used in intelligence operations.
Speaking on the matter amid her ongoing impeachment process, Duterte said she would fully address the allegations during her impeachment trial, where her legal team is preparing evidence and collecting witness affidavits.
“I believe it’s misguided to accept the statements from House members about these fictitious names as fact,” Duterte said. “There are established protocols in intelligence work, and it’s known that aliases are often employed in these operations.”
She added that an intelligence operations expert will testify as a resource person during the trial. “If no trial happens, I’ll address the public directly,” Duterte stated.
Duterte also deflected questions on OVP’s plans regarding IT equipment and staffing, directing inquiries to the newly appointed spokesperson, Ruth Castello.
The Vice President previously submitted a counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman to respond to allegations of fund misuse. Some of the controversial names linked to the confidential funds resembled fictional or humorous terms, like “Amoy Liu,” “Fernan Amuy,” and “Joug De Asim,” leading critics to dub the list “Team Amoy Asim.”
Despite being impeached by the House, Duterte continues to assert that there was no wrongdoing in how her office handled confidential funds.