Padilla went on, “It can’t be a non-issue because this is what the prosecution is bringing out.”

The aliases had surfaced earlier in the testimony of Gina Acosta, the OVP’s former special disbursing officer, who brought out the unusual names that appeared on acknowledgment receipts after the prosecution questioned their identities and the transactions they were involved in.

Padilla then brought up “Marcial Bonifacio,” the alias of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Divinagracia said she was not familiar with the name.

“Benigno Aquino Jr., Ninoy himself used an alias,” Padilla replied.

Senator-Judge Bam Aquino, the late Aquino’’s nephew, later shot down Padilla’s argument, saying, “He used an alias but he did not have confidential funds.”