NBI Uncovers Identical Handwriting in Confidential Fund Receipts Linked to VP Sara
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has made a significant discovery in its ongoing probe into the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte. Forensic analysis has revealed that multiple acknowledgment receipts exhibit identical handwriting, suggesting the possibility of a single individual being involved in their preparation.
Forensic Findings Presented to House Committee
During a hearing before the House Committee on Justice, NBI officials presented a four-page forensic report detailing their examination of 36 receipts obtained from the Commission on Audit. NBI Question Documents Division chief Carolyn Moldez-Pitoy and NBI Director Melvin Matibag testified that their analysis identified several groups of receipts where the handwriting appeared to originate from the same person.
The investigation uncovered matching handwriting styles across receipts bearing different names, indicating that a single individual may have prepared multiple documents. This finding raises questions about the authenticity and proper documentation of the confidential fund expenditures.
Seven Distinct Groups Identified
The NBI forensic team identified seven distinct groups of receipts, each potentially written by a separate individual. However, officials clarified that this grouping was based primarily on handwriting style analysis and does not definitively prove different individuals were involved.
"The classification is based on writing characteristics and patterns observed in the documents," explained Moldez-Pitoy during the hearing. "While we can identify similarities that suggest common authorship, we cannot with absolute certainty confirm they represent different people without additional evidence."
Limitations in Signature Analysis
An important limitation emerged during the forensic examination. While handwritten dates on some documents received thorough analysis, signatures proved more challenging to evaluate comprehensively.
"The signatures could not be properly compared due to insufficient reference materials," Matibag noted. This means that while handwriting in the body of receipts showed concerning similarities, the investigation could not draw definitive conclusions about signature authenticity.
Ongoing Investigation Continues
The NBI continues to scrutinize all relevant documents as part of its broader investigation into the Vice President's confidential fund usage. The discovery of identical handwriting across multiple receipts represents a significant development that will likely influence the direction of future inquiries.
Committee members have indicated they will consider these forensic findings as they evaluate whether proper procedures were followed in the disbursement and documentation of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President.
