Palace to Trillanes: Face libel charges
Malacañang on Sunday said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is “out of his wits” after smearing the administration instead of facing libel charges filed against him before a Davao court.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo hit back at Trillanes for resorting to squid tactics, telling the senator that he was not exempted from prosecution.
“Instead of facing this squarely, however, the senator from Bicol ranted and released a fiery statement before the media attacking the administration, as his usual style. Senator Trillanes is certainly out of his wits,” Panelo said.
“His latest remarks prove once and for all that he is an incorrigible rabble rouser and perennial whiner, a false accuser who, when hailed to court, cries like a baby reminiscent of staging a coup and surrenders instantly even without a gun being fired from the government forces,” he added.
Panelo reminded Trillanes that everyone must be accountable for any wrongdoing or infraction of any law.
“His being a senator can not excuse him from prosecution from those he has wronged. Instead of employing squid tactics and smearing the administration, he should focus on the legal remedies available to him,” he said.
Last Friday, the Davao City Regional Trial Court branch 54 issued
an arrest warrant against Trillanes for the libel cases filed by former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law lawyer Manases Carpio.
Trillanes, however, refused to immediately turn himself in to authorities, invoking his immunity from arrest on cases with minor penalties while Congress is in session.
The senator instead decided to post bail before the court on Monday.
He also denounced the unfair justice system under the Duterte administration, saying plunderers go scot-free while critics are being persecuted.
Panelo, however, insisted that the executive branch does not interfere with the affairs of the judiciary, a separate and independent branch of government.