Bank records could replace Trillanes’ testimony

Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Domingo Cayosa said former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV may no longer need to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte if the prosecution can present bank records supporting the allegations against her.

Cayosa said the prosecution should first focus on documentary evidence, particularly bank records that could corroborate allegations previously raised by Trillanes.

“If that is what he will say, it would be better to present the bank records,” Cayosa said.

He said documentary evidence would provide a more direct basis for the impeachment court to assess the allegations than relying solely on statements Trillanes previously made in public forums.

Cayosa was commenting on the possibility of Trillanes being called to testify before the impeachment court after the former senator discussed alleged bank accounts and sought to substantiate his claims through a waiver.

Cayosa said the prosecution could also call government officials who have custody of the relevant records to authenticate and explain the documents.

He acknowledged, however, that Trillanes could still have additional information not contained in the bank records.

“We don’t know. Maybe he has something else,” Cayosa said, adding that the prosecution should determine whether Trillanes’ testimony would materially add to the documentary evidence.

Cayosa cites Duterte’s statements

Cayosa also pointed to statements made by Duterte during the impeachment proceedings that, in his view, confirmed several matters raised in the case.

He said Duterte had acknowledged the existence of GenCorp contracts in which her family had an interest, as well as her family’s business relationship with businessman Bruce.

Cayosa also cited Duterte’s response to a question from Senate President Francis Escudero regarding a transaction involving her sister.

Duterte reportedly said she would not have approved the transaction had she known that her sister had an interest in it.

Cayosa said the statement was significant because it indicated that Duterte knew such an arrangement was prohibited.

The issue, he said, was not necessarily whether Duterte personally influenced the transactions but whether she, as vice president, engaged directly or indirectly in government transactions in violation of the restrictions applicable to her office.

Cayosa said the impeachment proceedings should focus on establishing the alleged acts and determining whether they constitute grounds for impeachment.

On Trillanes’ possible testimony, Cayosa said calling him could become less necessary if the prosecution can establish the allegations through bank documents and testimony from officials responsible for the records.

He also cautioned that having Trillanes testify about bank records before the documents are formally introduced could give the defense grounds to challenge his testimony.

Cayosa said the prosecution should therefore rely primarily on documentary evidence and witnesses who can properly establish the authenticity and contents of the records.