MANILA, Philippines -- The Makati Regional Trial Court has given soldiers involved in the takeover of Makati?s Oakwood hotel in 2003 one last chance to bring Sen. Gregorio ?Gringo? Honasan to the witness stand before the case is finally submitted for resolution.

Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati RTC Branch 148 granted the request of the accused officers, led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, to be given another chance to present Honasan after the latter missed the Nov. 26 hearing reportedly because of another legal commitment.

But no further postponement would be allowed after the next hearing on Dec. 16-17, said the judge, adding that Honasan must appear or else his testimony would be deemed waived.

?We have no problem with the defense presenting Senator Honasan. We?re also interested in what the senator has to say but we?re also entitled to cross examine him. They have been delaying this for so long. They?ve been trying to present Honasan for a year but they had various excuses,? said state prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.