Piattos not appearing for Sara’s defense

The impeachment defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday denied reports that it was ready to present Mary Grace Piattos, an alleged beneficiary of the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds, calling such claims inaccurate.

In a statement, Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s impeachment defense team, said circulating reports and social media posts suggesting that Piattos would be presented as part of the defense were not true.

“For clarity, this is inaccurate. I have not made any such statement, nor have I confirmed or announced any such course of action,” Poa said.

Poa stressed that the defense team is prepared to confront all allegations against the vice president — not just those involving Piattos.

“We respectfully appeal to our colleagues in the media to avoid attributing statements or positions that were never made, in the interest of a fair public discussion,” he added.

The statement came as a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte remained pending before the House leadership.

The two impeachment complaints filed against the vice president have yet to be referred by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil to the office of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.

Speaker Dy confirmed Thursday that the complaints had not been transmitted to his office. 

The complaints cited alleged misuse of confidential funds and Duterte’s purported tolerance of extrajudicial killings.

The filings came after the Supreme Court’s final denial of the House of Representatives’ appeal to overturn its 25 July 2025 ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte unconstitutional.

The coalition further alleged that the vice president engaged in bribery, amassed unexplained wealth, displayed gross incompetence and abuse of power, and tolerated extrajudicial killings while participating in efforts to destabilize the government.

On Monday, 2 February, the defense team said it was ready to face newly filed impeachment complaints following the filing of two new petitions by the Makabayan bloc and other groups.

On 29 January, the Supreme Court affirmed its earlier ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte unconstitutional.