Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said he personally asked the House prosecution panel to formally remove his name as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Trillanes said he made the request to ease the pressure allegedly being faced by the prosecution panel over the issue of his testimony.
House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro had earlier announced that the prosecution had finalized its decision not to present Trillanes as a witness in the impeachment trial.
Instead, Trillanes said he will hold a press conference Friday to disclose all the information he had intended to present during the impeachment proceedings.
Trillanes clarified that his removal as a witness was his own request, saying the move was intended to help ease the pressure on the prosecution panel.
The development came after some members of the prosecution acknowledged that they were surprised by Luistro’s announcement regarding Trillanes.
House prosecutor Rep. Keith Flores said he was unaware of the decision involving Trillanes because he had been focused on preparations for other witnesses.
Luistro’s announcement effectively confirmed that Trillanes will no longer be presented by the prosecution as a witness in the impeachment trial.
Trillanes said the information he had planned to present before the impeachment panel will instead be disclosed during his scheduled press conference Friday.
