Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said that it was the consensus of the senator-judges not to have former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV subpoenaed, clarifying that he was not barred from appearing before the court to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
He also said the decision not to subpoena Trillanes did not rest solely with impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.
‘No,’ Gatchalian answered when asked if Escudero prevented Trillanes from testifying, adding that it was discussed among the senators.
‘There was a consultation and there were a lot of opinions so it was not solely [Sen. Escudero’s] decision. In fact, there were several matters decided by the presiding officer that were consulted with the senator-judges first before he issued a decision or ruling,’ Gatchalian said in an interview with radio dzBB.
‘That has become a part of the impeachment process. If there are important decisions, the presiding officer consults first with the senator judges, and that included Sen. Trillanes being a possible witness,’ he added.
In a press briefing last Friday, Trillanes lashed out against Escudero for not issuing a subpoena for him – being the only witness listed by the prosecution in its manifestation for Article II of the Articles of Impeachment who did not get an order.
Article II accused Duterte of possessing unexplained wealth.
Trillanes also said he felt unwelcome before the Senate impeachment court after Escudero did not issue him a subpoena.
But Gatchalian said the prosecution panel has the right to summon Trillanes as a witness even without issuance of a subpoena by the impeachment court.
‘In fact, he was there already. It’s the prosecution panel’s decision how Sen. Trillanes’ testimony can help strengthen their case in the articles of impeachment,’ the Senate leader said.