MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV is expected to testify next week as the prosecution team at the House of Representatives begins presenting evidence on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth, lawmakers said Wednesday.
Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V confirmed Trillanes’ expected appearance, while the prosecution prepares more than 1,800 financial documents and up to 25 potential witnesses for Article II of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“I don’t want to preempt the team regarding the order of witnesses, but Trillanes is coming,” Ortega said in Filipino in a press briefing.
The panel shifts to Article II after completing its presentation on Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
House prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said Trillanes would be a key witness because some financial information he previously presented during the House impeachment proceedings was cross-checked against records of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
"Yes, Senator Trillanes's testimony will be important," he said.
Article II accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust for allegedly accumulating wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and failing to fully and truthfully disclose her and her husband’s assets and liabilities in their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
The prosecution is citing Duterte’s 2019-2024 SALNs, including her 2024 declaration of about P88.5 million in net worth, as well as an AMLC report covering 663 transactions involving Duterte and lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio with an aggregate value of about P6.77 billion.
