Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution will rely on the evidence and records of its own witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial, and the allegations of former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV may only be part of its references.
“In terms of evidence, I think the prosecution’s witnesses are ready to present the records. As a matter of fact, this is how I appreciate it: Binigay ni former Sen. Trilanes yung kwento, nasa prosecution witnesses ang resibo,” Luisitro said on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “Politiko Talks.”
The prosecution is expected to present witnesses from the Anti-Money Laundering Council and from the banks next week.
Luistro said people should stay tuned to see if the allegations of Trillanes, who withdrew as a prosecution witness, would match the documents.
She noted that Trillanes apparently has his own records that he said he would share with the prosecution, but she said the prosecution’s witnesses have their own records as well.
“But of course our witnesses have their own set of evidence on which the prosecution is relying. Kaya yung isa-submit ni Sen. Trillanes, we will have to wait and see kung ito ba pag ibinangga sa dokumento at resibo ng aming mga testigo ay talagang magtu-tugma,” she said.
In backing out as a witness, Trillanes said he wanted to take pressure off the prosecution. He later said the signal was clear that he was not welcome in the court since it did not issue a subpoena for him despite the prosecution’s request.
After his withdrawal, he held a press conference where he alleged that the Vice President and her husband received money from China, that the Duterte family received money from an alleged drug lord, and that Duterte has undeclared time deposits.
Duterte’s spokesperson called Trillanes’ press conference a media stunt and said his decision to withdraw showed his claims could not withstand legal scrutiny.