TRILLANES TO DISCLOSE INTENDED TESTIMONY AFTER WITHDRAWING AS WITNESS IN SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV is holding a press conference on Friday, October 2, 2026, a day after withdrawing as a witness in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Trillanes said he personally asked the House prosecution panel to remove his name from its witness list, saying the move would relieve the prosecutors of the pressure they were facing. The prosecution subsequently informed the Senate impeachment court that it would no longer present him as a witness.

Instead of testifying before the impeachment court, Trillanes said he would publicly present the information he had intended to disclose during his testimony.

His planned disclosures are expected to include information concerning alleged financial transactions involving members of the Duterte family. Trillanes had been expected to testify in connection with the prosecution's allegations involving unexplained wealth and financial records concerning Vice President Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.

The development came as the impeachment court turned to financial evidence. The prosecution has sought testimony and records from banks, financial institutions and the Anti-Money Laundering Council regarding covered and suspicious transactions linked to Duterte, Carpio and other entities. The AMLC testimony has been moved to October 5.

Trillanes' press conference, however, is separate from the impeachment proceedings. A law professor cited by GMA News said statements made during the press conference would not automatically constitute evidence for the impeachment court.

The former senator's decision to withdraw leaves the prosecution to rely on its other witnesses and documentary evidence as the trial proceeds.

The information Trillanes presents during the press conference will have to be assessed separately from evidence formally admitted and considered by the impeachment court.