Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson Regie Tongol said there was no move by the court to prevent former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV from appearing as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Tongol said the impeachment court was prepared to hear whatever testimony Trillanes might have presented.
His statement came amid questions over why Trillanes did not appear before the court as a prosecution witness.
According to Tongol, the House prosecution panel had requested a subpoena for Trillanes the previous week. However, when House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon was asked by Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero to identify the witnesses the prosecution intended to present this week, Trillanes was not among the names mentioned.
The prosecution subsequently decided not to present Trillanes as a witness.
Tongol said Trillanes could still testify if the defense team decides to call him because he is considered a common witness of both sides.
Earlier, Trillanes questioned why a subpoena was not issued to him and said he was ready to testify before the impeachment court. He also said he believed he was not welcome to testify.
Tongol disputed that characterization, saying there was no indication from the impeachment court that Trillanes was unwelcome.
The court spokesperson also confirmed that some common witnesses who have already appeared before the impeachment court may be called again by the defense if their testimony is needed.
The issue unfolded as the impeachment court continued proceedings involving Article 2 of the impeachment case, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth and related financial matters.
