PSA: No birth record for OVP fund recipient Mary Grace Piattos

PSA Photo via PNA

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has confirmed that it has no civil registry records for a certain Mary Grace Piattos, a name linked to liquidation documents from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

In a certification dated Nov. 25, 2024, addressed to House Good Government and Public Accountability Committee Chair Joel Chua of Manila’s Third District, the PSA stated that its Civil Registry System database yielded negative records of birth, marriage or death for Piattos.

The House panel released the documents on Tuesday.

The verification process is part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into questionable acknowledgment receipts tied to the alleged misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds by the OVP.

Mary Grace Piattos, a combination of a popular restaurant and a local snack brand, has become a focal point of congressional scrutiny amid suspicions it was fabricated.

The PSA clarified that further verification could be conducted with additional information, such as the subject’s parents’ names or the date and place of vital events.

The certification was signed by PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa.

The House panel uncovered around 158 acknowledgment receipts attached to the liquidation reports submitted by the OVP to the Commission on Audit.

Lawmakers believe the receipts were fabricated or hastily prepared to justify how the confidential funds were allegedly spent in just 11 days.

Chua’s committee flagged discrepancies in the receipts, including missing signatures, mismatched dates and similarities in handwriting. Some receipts reportedly lacked basic details such as dates or names.

House leaders have offered a PHP1-million reward for information on Mary Grace Piattos.

Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ First District earlier explained that Piattos allegedly received the largest share of confidential funds disbursed by the OVP in December 2022.

“Si Mary Grace Piattos kasi ‘yung may pinakamalaking nakuha dun eh (Mary Grace Piattos got the biggest share from it),” Khonghun said. “We want to set an example, we want to know the truth. Kasi it follows na ‘pag wala si Mary Grace Piattos, sigurado halos lahat ng tao na nandun is fictitious na (Because it follows if Mary Grace Piattos does not exist, then almost everyone else is fictitious).”