Chua dares defense to produce ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ in VP Sara trial

HOUSE prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua on Thursday challenged the defense team of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to produce “Mary Grace Piattos” during the impeachment trial, saying doing so would finally settle one of the most controversial issues surrounding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

“Mary Grace Piattos” became a controversial figure after the name appeared on acknowledgment receipts used to liquidate confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President. The Philippine Statistics Authority later said it found no birth record under the name, raising questions about whether the recipient actually exists.

Chua confirmed that Mary Grace Piattos remains on the prosecution’s witness list as a material witness.

“Material witness po ’yan, lalong-lalo na sa confidential funds. So kung lumutang po o hindi siya lumutang, ibig sabihin bogus siya. Kung lumutang naman siya, pwede namin siyang ma-cross examine,” Chua said in an interview.

Asked why prosecutors included Mary Grace Piattos as a witness despite having no direct communication with the person, Chua said the prosecution intends to see whether anyone claiming to be Mary Grace Piattos will come forward.

“Yes. Titingnan natin kung may lulutang na Mary Grace Piattos,” he said.

When asked whether the defense might question the inclusion of Mary Grace Piattos in the witness list, Chua turned the challenge back on Duterte’s camp.

“Di kwestyunin nila. Eh nandun siya sa isa sa mga nakatanggap ng confidential fund eh. Bakit nila kukwestyunin eh nilagay nila dun, di ba may pangalan siya dun, Mary Grace Piattos? They should produce kasi kung hindi nila mapo-produce ’yun eh bogus ’yun,” he said.

Chua also rejected the suggestion that “Mary Grace Piattos” could merely be a code name.

“Eh di ilabas nila ’yung totoo kung sinuman ’yun. That is the only way to settle this issue once and for all,” he said.

He added that the prosecution would even welcome it if the defense also lists Mary Grace Piattos as a witness.

“That’s good for us. Eh di common witness namin eh di at least i-produce muna nila,” Chua said.