VP Sara Duterte Trial Takes New Turn as Antonio Trillanes Emerges as Witness
ANTONIO TRILLANES – The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte may soon feature a familiar political figure, with former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV expected to appear as a witness.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is expected to testify in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly on bank records allegedly linked to questions surrounding her unexplained wealth.
“TRILLANES IS COMING.” La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega made the statement during a press conference by the House Prosecution Team on Wednesday, September 9, as lawmakers discussed the possible testimony of the former senator.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said Trillanes was among the first individuals to present evidence concerning the Vice President and members of her family.
“Kung maalala ninyo, siya yung unang naglabas o unang nag-expose ng mga ebidensya laban, hindi lang sa vice president, bagkus sa pamilya ni [dating] Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” said Chua.
He also recalled that Trillanes had previously appeared as a resource person before the House Committee on Justice.
“Doon sa Committee on Justice, isa rin siya sa mga resource person na tinawag natin. So, ako naniniwala [na] doon iikot ‘yong testimonya na kukunin sa kaniya o i-e-extract ng handling prosecutor,” he added.
Ortega, meanwhile, described Trillanes as a potentially “vital part” of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte.
“Alam naman natin na during ng QuadCom, during the Blue Ribbon Committee, isa siya sa mga knowledgeable. Parang krusada kasi ni Former Senator Trillanes ‘yan e. Crusade niya ‘yan e. So, as a witness siguro makikita rin natin na he will be a very vital part of this article,” said Ortega.
He further hinted that Trillanes could indeed appear during the proceedings.
“Actually ‘yong mga siniwalat niya dati, hindi pa tayo congressman no’n, wala pa tayo sa puntong ‘to e, ayon nga tama si Cong. Joel, no’ng na-cross check lahat ‘yan. Kumbaga, nasilip niya lahat ng mga ano e. So again, ayoko namang pangunahan ‘yong team, kung sino o ano ‘yong order of witnesses, pero Trillanes is coming,” he added.
Chua also emphasized the importance of Trillanes’ testimony.
“Yes, mahalaga po ang magiging testimonya ni Senator Trillanes. And in fact kung maaalala n’yo, doon sa mga iprinisenta niyang mga dokumento doon sa Committee on Justice, ilan po rito ay krinoss check po namin sa AMLC director mismo, na nagpapatunay na ‘yong mga nilabas niya na bank account na may mga gano’ng transaction base sa AMLC report.”
In an April 22, 2026 House Committee on Justice hearing, Trillanes presented a sworn statement concerning alleged joint bank accounts involving former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte. He claimed the accounts contained billions of pesos and said he sought assistance from accountants and finance specialists to estimate the funds involved.
According to documents he presented, a total of ₱2,407,272,103.75 allegedly flowed into or was deposited in the joint accounts over several years.
Trillanes also alleged that members of the Duterte family received millions of pesos from alleged drug lord Samuel “Sammy” Uy. The alleged recipients included former President Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, Davao Rep. Pulong Duterte, Kitty Duterte, and Honeylet Avanceña.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council also told the committee that there were more than 630 covered transaction reports and 33 suspicious transaction reports allegedly connected to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
As of Wednesday, Trillanes had yet to issue a statement regarding his possible appearance as a witness in the impeachment trial.
READ ALSO: Antonio Trillanes: “Si Mayor Leni, ipaglalaban mo. Si Senator Risa, ipaglalaban ka”
