Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV could still take the witness stand in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial despite the prosecution’s decision not to present him for now, the Senate impeachment court said Thursday afternoon.
Court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the House prosecution panel retains control over its witness lineup and may reverse its earlier manifestation if it later finds Trillanes’ testimony necessary to strengthen its case.
“Kung sa tingin po nila makakalakas pa po ng kaso si former Senator Trillanes, wala naman pong pipigil sa kanila to recall their earlier manifestation that they will not anymore present former Senator Trillanes (If they think former senator Trillanes could still strengthen their case, nothing prevents them from recalling their earlier manifestation that they will no longer present him),” Tongol said in a press briefing.
He said there is likewise no disqualification under court rules that would prevent Trillanes from testifying.
The prosecution earlier decided to dispense with Trillanes’ testimony after he asked lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro to remove him from the witness lineup to ease pressure on the panel.
Trillanes was initially intended to identify documents related to bank records being presented in the impeachment proceedings.
The prosecution subsequently indicated that Trillanes could possibly testify Wednesday, but presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero advised the panel to first complete testimony from bank representatives and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Tongol said this was because the prosecution itself had identified Trillanes’ purpose as authenticating or identifying documents connected to bank records, which had yet to be formally presented before the court at the time.
“Wala pong pumipigil na maipresenta si former Sen. Trillanes (Nothing is preventing former senator Trillanes from being presented),” Tongol said.
Whether Trillanes eventually takes the stand, he added, remains a decision for the House prosecution panel. (PNA) | (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)