Padilla says Ninoy himself used alias; but Bam Aquino says he had no CF

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MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla tried to justify the need for aliases in handling confidential information by mentioning that even former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino had used one, but the late democracy icon’s nephew quickly countered that he had not been given confidential funds (CF).

During Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, Padilla quizzed counsel for prosecution Mae Divinagracia whether she knows the aliases used by several of the country’s national heroes — from Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, and other figures — and why these were necessary.

Padilla said this during discussions on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which deals with alleged confidential fund misuse within Duterte’s offices. Part of the allegations involves supposed anomalies involving acknowledgment receipts (ARs) signed off by unusual names, like Mary Grace Piattos.

Divinagracia said she recognized some of the names Padilla mentioned, but clarified that the circumstances these heroes faced then differ from those today. This, however, prompted Padilla to say that Aquino used the alias Marcial Bonifacio.