37 alleged recipients of Duterte's confidential funds are deceased: PSA

MANILA — A Philippine Statistics Authority official testified Monday that government records show 37 alleged recipients of confidential funds released under Vice President Sara Duterte are deceased, raising fresh questions about the administration and distribution of the controversial disbursements. PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande presented the findings during the continuation of Duterte's impeachment proceedings in the Senate, serving as the prosecution's 10th witness in the ongoing trial. The revelation adds another dimension to the case being built against the Vice President regarding the management of confidential operational expenses under her office. The prosecution has been scrutinizing the allocation and recipients of funds that Duterte's office released during her tenure, with the deceased status of numerous supposed beneficiaries prompting further investigation into whether proper procedures were followed in their distribution. The case continues as senators weigh evidence presented by prosecutors and the defense team in what has become one of the year's most closely watched political proceedings.