Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is set to take the witness stand next week in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the House prosecution panel turns its attention to Article II involving alleged unexplained wealth.
The confirmation came during a press briefing on Wednesday, September 9, where La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega V and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua outlined the next phase of their case.
“Trillanes is coming,” Ortega stated.
Ortega emphasized that the former senator’s long-standing investigation into the Duterte family’s financial records makes him a critical resource for the prosecution’s arguments.
“So as a witness siguro makikita din natin na it will be a very vital part of this article,” he said.
Chua explained that lawmakers previously cross-referenced financial documentation supplied by Trillanes against formal transaction records provided by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
He highlighted that Trillanes had consistently raised concerns regarding the Duterte family’s assets long before the formal impeachment charges were introduced, having also provided testimony as a resource person during House Committee on Justice deliberations.
During an April 22 Committee on Justice hearing, AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura confirmed that 18 transaction entries from Trillanes’ documents matched AMLC records regarding both dates and amounts, establishing key evidence for the impeachment articles.
Representatives Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list and Chel Diokno of Akbayan Party-list are leading the prosecution team for Article II, which centers on alleged undisclosed wealth and irregularities in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). They will define the parameters of Trillanes’ examination on the stand.
“Yes, mahalaga po yung magiging testimony ni Senator Trillanes,” Chua added.
The prosecution is set to begin presenting evidence for Article II on September 14, following the conclusion of proceedings for Article I regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.