Use of aliases in receipts neither allowed nor prohibited, auditor tells impeachment court

A state auditor told the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday that the use of codenames or aliases in acknowledgment receipts (ARs) is neither allowed nor prohibited, citing a 2015 joint circular. Joint Circular 2015-01, issued in January 2015, pertains to guidelines on the entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit of public funds. The auditor's testimony comes amid ongoing discussions about transparency and accountability in public documents. The propriety of public officials using pseudonyms has become a point of contention, particularly concerning public trust. The Philippines has a history of transparency issues related to asset disclosures of public officials and the use of public funds, and this testimony adds a new dimension to those debates. In the context of various challenges facing the Philippines, such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and economic policies aimed at attracting foreign investment, the credibility of public institutions is paramount. The absence of a clear prohibition on the use of aliases raises concerns about potential loopholes for illicit activities and hindrances to the public's accurate understanding of official records. Further discussions are anticipated regarding the interpretation of this joint circular and the potential need for additional guidelines on the use of pseudonyms.