The House prosecution panel has formally withdrawn former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV from its list of witnesses in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro announced the decision on Thursday, October 1, during the 32nd day of the proceedings. She told the impeachment court that the prosecution had finalized its decision not to present Trillanes as a witness and asked the court to accept the belated change.
Luistro later said that dropping Trillanes was within the prosecution’s prerogative. The former senator had previously been expected to testify as the House panel presented its case concerning allegations involving Duterte’s wealth and financial transactions.
Trillanes had earlier submitted documents and sworn statements during House proceedings alleging that billions of pesos had moved through bank accounts associated with members of the Duterte family. He also made allegations concerning Duterte’s assets, her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and alleged financial dealings involving people connected to her family.
The prosecution had previously indicated that Trillanes would be an important witness. In September, the House said it had more than 1,800 financial documents and identified him among the witnesses expected to participate in the presentation of evidence on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.
The House prosecution has cited financial records and information from the Anti-Money Laundering Council as part of its presentation. According to the House, an AMLC report covering 663 transactions involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, had an aggregate value of about ₱6.77 billion. Prosecutors have also obtained subpoenaed bank and tax records that they intend to compare with Duterte’s financial disclosures.
Trillanes’ withdrawal comes as the prosecution continues presenting evidence related to the unexplained-wealth allegations. The panel has indicated that the number of witnesses could be reduced where testimony would be repetitive or where the defense agrees to stipulations concerning financial records.
The former senator’s removal from the witness list means the prosecution will rely on other witnesses and documentary evidence as it continues its presentation. The decision also comes after senator-judges raised concerns about the number and relevance of witnesses being presented during the proceedings.
The impeachment trial remains ongoing, with the prosecution continuing to present evidence on the allegations against the Vice President. Duterte and her defense team will have an opportunity to respond to the evidence and allegations presented by the House prosecution.
