The House prosecution panel is set to present former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte this week, prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said on Wednesday.
During an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Tolosa said the prosecution had intended to present Trillanes on Wednesday, Sept. 30, but the Senate impeachment court canceled the scheduled proceedings and declared a “strategic procedural pause.”
“This week po we will present him… Ang intention namin talaga i-present siya today [Wednesday],” Tolosa said.
The trial will resume on Thursday, October 1, with whole-day hearings.
He added that the prosecution was also considering the suggestion of impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero to first present the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) witness or relevant bank records before Trillanes takes the witness stand.
“We understand the witness behind the suggestion but definitely this week ang intensyon namin ay ma-present na po siya,” Tolosa said.
The impeachment court on Tuesday deferred issuing a subpoena for Trillanes, saying the prosecution should first present the AMLC witness or relevant bank records that would establish the basis for his expected testimony.
Escudero said the court’s decision would not prevent the prosecution from voluntarily calling Trillanes to testify. The former senator is expected to testify on matters related to allegations of 'unexplained wealth' under Article II of the impeachment complaint.
Trillanes attended Tuesday’s proceedings while Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte was on the witness stand. He said he was willing to testify before the impeachment court.
“I hope to be presented as a witness pagkatapos ni Mayor Baste,” Trillanes said.
The House prosecution had earlier sought a subpoena for Trillanes in connection with allegations involving Vice President Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and receipt or acquisition of funds from identified sources.
Meanwhile, Atty. Kathy Baldonado and Atty. Marco Pineda were among the witnesses lined up by the prosecution, while AMLC Executive Director Atty. Ronel Buenaventura is expected to testify in the succeeding hearings.
