Prosecution claims impeachment trial questions cannot be based on Trillanes claims

The prosecution panel said that allegations made by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV against Vice President Sara Duterte cannot be used as the basis for questioning witnesses in the ongoing impeachment trial.

House prosecution team legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said at a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, October 3, that Trillanes’ accusations could not be raised during the proceedings because they were made outside the impeachment trial.

Trillanes on Friday accused Duterte and her husband, lawyer Maneses Carpio, of receiving P150 million and P319 million, respectively, through their separate organizations from the People’s Republic of China.

The allegations were initially supposed to be presented by Trillanes before the impeachment court, but the House prosecution later dropped him from its witness lineup.

Trillanes said he himself asked the prosecution panel to withdraw him as a witness, choosing instead to air his allegations during a press conference.

“Sabay sabay natin makikita ‘yan next week kung talagang magsisilbing resibo ang mga alegasyon ni Senator Trillanes nitong mga bank records, different financial transactions,” he said.

Prosecutor Terry Ridon said the prosecution is set to begin presenting financial witnesses next week, including the executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“Sa darating na linggo, isasalang na ang financial witnesses… isasalang na finally ang AMLC executive director, patungkol sa transactions ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio at mga kumpanya po nila,” Ridon said.