The House prosecution panel plans to present former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon.
Ridon told the Senate Impeachment Court that the prosecution wanted to add Trillanes as a witness this week. He said the panel wanted to present him as early as the following day, ahead of Atty. Ronel Buenaventura of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Atty. Kathy Baldonado of the Davao City Register of Deeds and Atty. Marco Pineda of the Samal Deputy Register of Deeds.
Trillanes has been included in the prosecution’s list of potential witnesses in connection with the impeachment proceedings. Earlier reports identified him as a witness for the prosecution on issues involving alleged unexplained wealth.
The proposed change in the witness sequence drew an objection from defense lawyer Atty. Sheila Sison, who questioned the sudden adjustment to the schedule.
Sison later withdrew the objection and said the defense was prepared to conduct cross-examination if the prosecution proceeded with Trillanes as its witness.
The Senate Impeachment Court said it could not prevent the prosecution panel from presenting its witnesses according to its planned sequence.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero, however, reminded the prosecution panel about the importance of following the proper order of proceedings.
Escudero also asked the prosecution to inform the court immediately if there would be changes to the witness sequence so Sison and the defense would have enough time to prepare.
Trillanes remains among the witnesses expected to appear in the impeachment trial, with the prosecution previously identifying him as part of its lineup for the unexplained wealth allegations.
