THE House Committee on Justice has approved a motion to issue a subpoena compelling former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV to appear and present documents relevant to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The decision came after Senator Leila De Lima formally moved for the issuance of both a subpoena ad testificandum (to testify) and duces tecum (to produce documents).
During the hearing, Senator De Lima argued that Trillanes’ testimony and documents would be highly relevant to the allegations of unexplained or ill-gotten wealth and nondisclosure of assets in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). She specifically cited footnote number 98 of the Sabala et al. complaint, which reportedly details money deposited in bank accounts under VP Duterte’s name, as well as those jointly owned with her father, husband, or siblings.
De Lima further reminded the committee of Trillanes’ previous testimony before the House Quad Committee during the 19th Congress, where he discussed the bank accounts of the former president and his family, including Vice President Duterte. “On the matter of unexplained or ill-gotten wealth and nondisclosure of assets in the SALNs of the Vice President, the testimony and the documents from Senator Trillanes would be very relevant,” De Lima stated in her motion.
The motion was seconded and, with no objections raised, was unanimously approved by the committee. The subpoena directs Trillanes to appear at the next hearing scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the People’s Center of the House of Representatives.
He is also required to bring with him all relevant documents pertaining to the allegations of unexplained wealth against the Vice President. The committee’s decision to summon Trillanes signals a significant development in the impeachment proceedings, as his testimony and evidence could play a crucial role in the investigation.
