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Advocates Philippines
Defense Set To Face Questions On 'Mary Grace Piattos' As Impeachment Trial Shifts Focus
SCREENGRAB FROM CONGRESS PH
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to enter a new phase next week as House prosecutors prepare to present evidence on the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, shifting the spotlight to the defense and its explanation of controversial fund recipients, including the widely discussed name "Mary Grace Piattos."
The House prosecution panel said Thursday that the trial will give Duterte's camp the opportunity to address questions surrounding the identities of individuals listed as recipients of confidential funds after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) completes its testimony on the first article of impeachment.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag is expected to be the prosecution's final witness on the charge involving Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. After his testimony, prosecutors are expected to begin presenting evidence related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
House prosecutor Joel Chua said both the prosecution and the public are waiting to hear how the defense will explain the names that appeared in the liquidation documents.
“So lahat naman tayo nag-aabang kung ano magiging tugon dito ng defense. Hindi lang po ‘yung mga kababayan natin ang nag-aabang dito, maski kami rin po sa prosecution ay nag-aabang din,” Chua said during a press briefing.
Chua said the impeachment proceedings will provide the defense with the opportunity to clarify whether the listed recipients were legitimate individuals or fictitious names used in the liquidation of confidential funds.
“Ako naniniwala, inaabangan din ito ng ating mga kababayan kung itong mga pangalan bang ito ay totoo o nag-e-exist ba ito o hindi o ginamit lamang ito para pagtakpan ‘yung liquidation nila ng mga pera,” he said.
The issue gained national attention after the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, during its inquiry into the Office of the Vice President's confidential funds, questioned several names listed as recipients, including "Mary Grace Piattos." Lawmakers said the names raised concerns after verification efforts found that many of the supposed recipients could not be validated.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said the House had already coordinated with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify the identities of the listed recipients.
“Isa-isa nating kinuha sa PSA kung nag-eexist yung mga ’yan,” Ortega said.
“Halos dalawang daan, tatlong daan po yata ang hindi nag-eexist doon sa mga pangalan na ’yan,” he added.
Ortega said the Senate impeachment trial is the proper venue to determine whether the questioned names belonged to actual recipients of confidential funds.
“Andito na tayo. Ito na ‘yung perfect stage, ito na ‘yung pinakamahalagang part. Sana mailabas po lahat ng mga ito,” he said.
Prosecution counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan also made a lighthearted remark about the now-famous "Mary Grace Piattos" name, saying she had frequented Mary Grace restaurants but had never encountered anyone by that name.
“Sa dami ng kinain kong ensaymada at tsaka cheese rolls sa lahat ng Mary Grace outlets na ’yan, wala daw silang kilalang Mary Grace Piattos,” Kapunan said.
“So tingnan natin, baka biglang lumabas,” she added.
The alleged misuse of confidential funds is among the key Articles of Impeachment against Duterte and is expected to become one of the central issues once the prosecution concludes presenting evidence on the first impeachment charge.
The House prosecution panel said Thursday that the trial will give Duterte's camp the opportunity to address questions surrounding the identities of individuals listed as recipients of confidential funds after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) completes its testimony on the first article of impeachment.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag is expected to be the prosecution's final witness on the charge involving Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. After his testimony, prosecutors are expected to begin presenting evidence related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
House prosecutor Joel Chua said both the prosecution and the public are waiting to hear how the defense will explain the names that appeared in the liquidation documents.
“So lahat naman tayo nag-aabang kung ano magiging tugon dito ng defense. Hindi lang po ‘yung mga kababayan natin ang nag-aabang dito, maski kami rin po sa prosecution ay nag-aabang din,” Chua said during a press briefing.
Chua said the impeachment proceedings will provide the defense with the opportunity to clarify whether the listed recipients were legitimate individuals or fictitious names used in the liquidation of confidential funds.
“Ako naniniwala, inaabangan din ito ng ating mga kababayan kung itong mga pangalan bang ito ay totoo o nag-e-exist ba ito o hindi o ginamit lamang ito para pagtakpan ‘yung liquidation nila ng mga pera,” he said.
The issue gained national attention after the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, during its inquiry into the Office of the Vice President's confidential funds, questioned several names listed as recipients, including "Mary Grace Piattos." Lawmakers said the names raised concerns after verification efforts found that many of the supposed recipients could not be validated.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said the House had already coordinated with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify the identities of the listed recipients.
“Isa-isa nating kinuha sa PSA kung nag-eexist yung mga ’yan,” Ortega said.
“Halos dalawang daan, tatlong daan po yata ang hindi nag-eexist doon sa mga pangalan na ’yan,” he added.
Ortega said the Senate impeachment trial is the proper venue to determine whether the questioned names belonged to actual recipients of confidential funds.
“Andito na tayo. Ito na ‘yung perfect stage, ito na ‘yung pinakamahalagang part. Sana mailabas po lahat ng mga ito,” he said.
Prosecution counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan also made a lighthearted remark about the now-famous "Mary Grace Piattos" name, saying she had frequented Mary Grace restaurants but had never encountered anyone by that name.
“Sa dami ng kinain kong ensaymada at tsaka cheese rolls sa lahat ng Mary Grace outlets na ’yan, wala daw silang kilalang Mary Grace Piattos,” Kapunan said.
“So tingnan natin, baka biglang lumabas,” she added.
The alleged misuse of confidential funds is among the key Articles of Impeachment against Duterte and is expected to become one of the central issues once the prosecution concludes presenting evidence on the first impeachment charge.
Jul 16, 2026
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