The House prosecution panel has listed “Mary Grace Piattos” among its intended witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to the prosecution’s pre-trial brief filed before the Senate impeachment court.
The witness list includes “Mary Grace Piattos” in connection with the first article of impeachment involving the Vice President’s alleged confidential fund expenditures.
The development comes after the Philippine Statistics Authority earlier informed lawmakers that it found no birth, marriage, or death records under the name “Mary Grace Piattos.” The prosecution has yet to publicly explain how it intends to identify or present the witness despite the PSA’s earlier findings.
The Duterte camp has maintained that “Mary Grace Piattos” was not the individual’s legal name but an alias used in confidential fund documentation. Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the use of aliases was intended to protect the identities of confidential assets involved in sensitive government operations.
Asked about the prosecution’s decision to include “Mary Grace Piattos” in its witness list, Poa said, “Their prerogative.”
“Specifically the ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’ we are ready to respond to that and explain bakit may mga ganyan,” he added.
Aside from “Mary Grace Piattos,” the prosecution also listed former Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang and several current and former government officials among its intended witnesses for the impeachment proceedings.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to hear the prosecution’s witnesses and the defense’s evidence as the trial moves forward. Both parties will have the opportunity to examine witnesses and present their respective cases before the court renders its judgment.
