Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment defense team has denied claims that they plan to present the individual known by the alias 'Mary Grace Piattos' during potential trial proceedings. Their spokesperson emphasized that such statements were never made, urging media to avoid misattributions for fair discourse. This clarification follows their February 3 remarks indicating the issue would be addressed in the impeachment forum.
On February 5, Michael Poa, spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment defense team, issued a statement denying any intention to present the alias 'Mary Grace Piattos' in potential trial proceedings. "I have not made any such statement, nor have I confirmed or announced any such course of action," he told reporters, appealing for media accuracy to ensure fair public discussion.
This came after his February 3 interview on DZMM Radyo Patrol, where he indicated the defense would tackle the 'Mary Grace Piattos' matter during impeachment. "Ito na siguro yung appropriate forum [na sagutin], sa impeachment... Yung mga confidential activities may restrictions kasi 'yan sa pagdidisclose. It might jeopardize ongoing operations, etc.," he explained, adding, "So, marahil noong mga panahon na 'yun ay hindi tama dahil baka may majeopardize na operations. Pero itong impeachment, kung ito ang tamang venue, mailalahad na namin."
Poa stressed their goal to refute corruption allegations against the vice president by addressing all questions. The alias 'Mary Grace Piattos'—combining a restaurant chain and snack brand—appears in impeachment complaints as a recipient of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President in December 2022. House probes in 2024 revealed it received the largest share, with irregularities in 776 acknowledgment receipts, including unreadable names, repeated entries, similar handwriting, pen color, and signatories.
These issues underpin the impeachment complaints against Duterte. Her lawyers have prepared for a possible full trial since the initial, now-dismissed case.
