The decision of the prosecution panel to drop former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was not an issue for the defense, its spokesperson said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the prosecution and its lawyers have the discretion to decide which witnesses to present as part of their strategy.

“Wala rin naman kaming issue doon. Nasa kanila po talaga iyon. Sa amin, although we didn’t expect it, at least we have to give due respect na pagdating sa stratehiya kung sino yung gustong ipresent na witness, kung sino yung sa tingin nila magpapatibay ng kaso nila it’s really up to them,” Poa said during a press conference.

The prosecution had earlier planned to present Trillanes as a witness in the proceedings. Trillanes had also volunteered to testify before the Senate impeachment court.

However, lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said Thursday that the prosecution would no longer present Trillanes as a witness.

Trillanes later said he personally asked Luistro to withdraw him from the prosecution’s witness list.

He also announced that he will hold a press conference Friday, Oct. 2, where he will disclose the information he had intended to present during the impeachment proceedings.