Trillanes posts P96K bail over libel raps

SEN. Antonio Trillanes 4th avoided detention after paying a P96,000-bail bond before a Pasay City court for four counts of libel lodged in Davao City by President Rodrigo Duterte’s son, Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases Carpio.

The senator posted bail at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 118 before noon on Monday after he was charged and ordered arrested by Davao RTC Branch 54 last Friday.

Branch 118 Judge Rowena Nieves-Tan was given the green light by the Davao court, which has the

jurisdiction over the case, to accept Trillanes’ bail.

“Accused [Trillanes], after having voluntarily appeared before this Court and posted the required cash bond... which is to the satisfaction of the Court, said cash bail is hereby approved... Accordingly, the Warrant of Arrest dated Dec. 7, 2018 issued against the said accused is hereby lifted and set aside,” Trillanes’ bail papers read.

Davao RTC Branch 54 Judge Merlinda Alconcel- Danghirang prescribed a P24,000 bail bond per count, which totaled P96,000.

Nieves-Tan, however, ordered the senator to coordinate with the Davao court within 30 days on the date of his arraignment.

Alconcel- Danghirang, after issuing one arrest order, issued three more on Friday and ordered Trillanes’ appearance before her within 10 days upon receipt.

said it was clear the Duterte family has a personal issue against him, and said the cases were mere harassment.

“This is another challenge in our role as a critic of Mr. Duterte, so I accept these challenges,” he told reporters.

The son of President Duterte had accused Trillanes of slandering him and his family during a Cebu City radio interview.

In the interview, Trillanes allegedly accused Paolo Duterte of corruption and extortion involving Uber and other companies

- tion Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Road Board and the Department of Public Works and