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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara defense declines to comment on 'Mary Grace Piattos,' says issue not yet before impeachment court

VP Sara defense declines to comment on 'Mary Grace Piattos,' says issue not yet before impeachment court

Duterte's camp says it will address the issue at the appropriate stage of the impeachment trial, citing the ongoing presentation of the prosecution's evidence

Published Aug 3, 2026 10:07 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte's camp said the issue involving "Mary Grace Piattos" would be addressed at the appropriate stage of the Senate impeachment trial. (Manila Bulletin file photo).
Vice President Sara Duterte's camp said the issue involving "Mary Grace Piattos" would be addressed at the appropriate stage of the Senate impeachment trial. (Manila Bulletin file photo).
Noting that it would be premature to discuss the matter while the Senate impeachment trial remains in the prosecution's presentation of evidence, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 3, declined to comment on issues involving "Mary Grace Piattos."
Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa, during a press briefing, said he could not answer questions about whether there were other acknowledgment receipts bearing the name "Mary Grace Piattos."
"I don't know, to be honest. I'm not trying to be abrasive—I really just don't know," Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino when asked whether there were other acknowledgment receipts under the name.
The question came after reporters noted that the name "Mary Grace Piattos" surfaced during the day's proceedings in connection with an acknowledgment receipt worth P70,000, an amount they compared with the larger sums reflected in other receipts.
'I don't want to speculate'
Poa said he would not speculate on the significance of the amount or the identity of the individual linked to the name.
"I don't know what we can surmise from the amount given to her or how it compares with others," he said. "I think what's important is that we wait for what the COA findings really are," he added.
When asked further about "Mary Grace Piattos," Poa reiterated that he had no personal knowledge of the individual.
"I don't want to speculate. I don't know her personally, so I don't want to speculate," he said.
Issue expected to be tackled by other witnesses
Poa pointed out that the "Mary Grace Piattos" issue first surfaced during congressional hearings and has not yet been addressed through the Commission on Audit (COA) witness who testified before the Senate impeachment court.
"Mary Grace Piattos only came up during the congressional hearings," Poa said. "Right now, we're still with the COA, and I'm sure there will be evidence and other witnesses who will address the Mary Grace Piattos issue," he added.
He also declined to discuss the legal implications of alleged aliases appearing on acknowledgment receipts, saying the matter falls outside the scope of the current witness's testimony.
"We're not there yet, so I won't discuss that—that's not covered by the COA witness," he said.
Poa explained that the defense does not want to preempt either the prosecution's presentation of evidence or its own legal strategy.
"Let's see. I'm sure that's one of the issues—whether those are aliases or not. At one point, that will be tackled," he said. "But I don't want to preempt anything that the prosecution will present, and I also don't want to preempt our own defense," Poa added. 
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/03/acknowledgment-receipts-subpoenaed-documents-still-subject-to-legal-scrutiny-vp-sara-camp

Related Tags

Mary Grace Piattos VP Sara Duterte Sara Duterte impeachment trial Michael Poa Senate impeachment trial
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