Prosecutor surprised Trillanes won't be presented as witness in impeachment trial

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Prosecution panel member Bukidnon Rep. Keith Flores said he was surprised by the announcement of lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro that the prosecution would no longer present former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Trillanes is supposed to testify in the article of impeachment involving alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President.

“I was really surprised. I was preparing for the witnesses this morning; I was focused on that,” Flores said.

He was referring to his direct examination of Atty. Kathy Florence Baldonado of the Davao City Register of Deeds and Atty. Marcio Pineda of the Samal Register of Deeds.

The witnesses testified on pieces of property worth P6 million and P3 million, acquired by Duterte's husband, Atty. Manases Carpio. These were said to be unlisted in the Vice President's joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth with Carpio.

“I’m really sorry about former Senator Trillanes; I cannot answer that,” Flores said.

Asked if other House prosecutors were also surprised by Luistro’s announcement, Flores replied, “I really cannot say.”

In a statement issued later in the day, Trillanes said he asked Luistro to drop him from the roster of witnesses so as not to burden the prosecution. –NB, GMA News