'Mary Grace Piattos' listed as witness for VP Sara impeachment

The infamous “Mary Grace Piattos” is listed as part of the House of Representatives prosecution team's witnesses for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to the pre-trial brief obtained by GMA News Online.

“[Mary Grace Piattos will be presented as witness] to testify on their alleged receipt of confidential funds,” the pre-trial brief read.

The name Mary Grace Piattos first gained prominence during the 2024 House good government and public accountability inquiry on the budget use of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education wherein acknowledgment receipts of confidential fund disbursements showed that she was one of those who received the confidential funds from the Vice President’s offices.

The Philippine Statistics Authority, however, told the House inquiry that they do not have birth, death or any other identification records of a person named “Mary Grace Piattos.”

Other names that appeared in the acknowledgment receipts were Xiaomi Ocho, Kokoy Villamin, Milky Secuya, among others.

According to the pre-trial brief, Piattos will be presented as witness for Article 1 which accuses the Vice President of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust over alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds.

In February, Duterte's camp said they are ready to explain the use of aliases for confidential funds, such as the infamous “Mary Grace Piattos.”

“Specifically the ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’ we are ready to respond to that and explain bakit may mga ganyan,” said Michael Poa, spokesperson of Duterte’s defense team.

(Specifically regarding ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’ we are ready to respond to that and explain why things like that exist.)

Ombudsman probe

Ex-Overall Deputy Ombudsman Carandang, on the other hand, will be presented as a witness for Article 2 which accuses the Vice President of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust over alleged unexplained wealth, false entries in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and continued business interests.

“[Carandang will be presented as witness] to prove that he investigated the bank accounts and transactions of respondent and Rodrigo Duterte, and the result thereof,” the pre-trial brief read.

Carandang was dismissed by then President Rodrigo Duterte, father of incumbent Vice President Duterte, in 2018 for disclosure of alleged bank transactions of then President Duterte and his family amid the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation into the supposed ill-gotten wealth of the Dutertes.

Carandang appealed his dismissal to no avail, with the Palace sustaining its ruling in 2019.

The Supreme Court eventually voided Carandang’s dismissal in May this year, citing the Office of the President’s lack of jurisdiction to impose sanctions on Carandang.

Likewise, the High Court voided the Office of the President's July 30, 2018 decision which found Carandang administratively liable for graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust, and dismissed him from public service.

The Senate impeachment trial of the Vice President is expected to start on July 6. —VAL, GMA News