THE defense team of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will have to disclose “Mary Grace Piatos” early if it intends to present the name as a witness in the impeachment trial, House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Wednesday.
Alonto Adiong, spokesperson for the House prosecution panel, made the point in an interview on Memo on Bilyonaryo News Channel as the impeachment court prepares for the June 18 pretrial conference, where both camps are expected to identify their evidence, witnesses and trial parameters ahead of the proceedings.
“Sa House prosecution team, handa naman i-submit kasi ‘yan ‘yung markings of evidence, pati na rin ‘yung pag-submit ng magiging potential na mga witnesses. We expect also na may mga objection from the other side,” Alonto Adiong noted.
The pretrial stage will determine how the impeachment court intends to handle witness disclosure, documentary markings and possible objections before the presentation of evidence in the trial proper.
“So basically, ilalatag dyan kung ano ‘yung magiging general flow ng trial. Parang ‘yun ang pagkakasulat doon sa notice ng korte,” Alonto Adiong explained.
The question of Piatos has been tied to the confidential funds controversy, where lawmakers previously questioned names and acknowledgment receipts allegedly used in liquidation documents.
“Kasi kung meron talaga silang ilalabas doon na Mary Grace Piatos, it would be better for them. Para at least, kasi we’re looking for clarity naman din,” Alonto Adiong pointed out.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution’s position from the House proceedings was to allow the defense to confront the allegations before the proper forum.
“In fact, ang House prosecution team from the very beginning, during the confirmation hearing, sinasabi naman natin there’s no judgment here. So, in fact, yung sinasabi natin na there’s an established probable cause para ‘yung mga allegation na ito ay ma-counter ng depensa,” Alonto Adiong stressed.
If a person claiming to be Piatos is presented, Alonto Adiong said the defense will have to account for the signature appearing in the confidential fund documents.
“Pero kung meron silang maipro-produce na Mary Grace Piatos, much better for the public din, ‘di ba? Pero dapat ang ano doon, ‘yung Mary Grace Piatos na lalabas doon, dapat ‘yung pirma niya, eksaktong ‘yung pirma niya doon sa confidential files, ‘yung acknowledgement receipt,” Alonto Adiong said.
He also raised the issue of Kokoy Villamin, another name linked to the acknowledgment receipts, as an example of why forensic scrutiny may become necessary during trial.
“Pero problema kay Kokoy Villamin, dalawa kasi ‘yung acknowledgement receipt na pinirmahan niya, magkaiba ‘yung pirma. Pero pareho ng pangalan,” Alonto Adiong added.
Alonto Adiong said the impeachment court may have to test signatures and supporting documents if the defense relies on individuals whose names appeared in the confidential fund records.
“So, mahirap ‘yun mag-produce ng witness na magsasabi ako si Kokoy Villamin kasi of course, nandun din yung mga experts para forensically to test ‘yung specimen ng pirma,” Alonto Adiong said.
The House prosecution panel is preparing its own evidence and witnesses for the pretrial conference.
