Former President Duterte to Pursue Libel Case Against Trillanes
DUTERTE VS. TRILLANES – Former President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his intention to file a libel case against former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV following allegations made during a Quad Committee hearing on November 13, 2024.
Duterte revealed his plans during a live call with former Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on November 14, 2024, while Panelo was streaming on TikTok and Facebook. “Tumawag ako sa iyo kasi yung kasinungalingan ni Trillanes gusto kong ikonsulta kasi I have to file libel cases against him, ikaw yung abogado para sabihin ng tao totoo, ni isang katiting doon wala,” said the former president.
Duterte expressed his frustration over what he called Trillanes’ lies, particularly regarding a claim about a bank document supposedly proving a ₱2.4 billion transaction involving the Duterte family between 2011 and 2015. The former president insisted that the allegations were false and questioned the authenticity of the document. “Ayoko na lang magsalita basta ako mag-file ng kaso. Patunayan niya sa korte kung… puro kabulastugan na fake news I will just file a case,” Duterte stated.
Trillanes’ allegations contributed to a heated moment during the hearing, during which Duterte nearly struck the former senator with a microphone. Duterte further stated that if his claims were proven true, he would demand his children’s resignation from their government positions, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and his son, Mayor Sebastian Duterte. “Kung too yan I will ask my daughter to resign as Vice President at yung anak kong Mayor, magresign, dapat lang, dapat lang kung totoo,” Duterte said.
This is not the first time Trillanes has raised the issue of alleged bank accounts belonging to the Duterte family. He made similar claims back in 2016. As of now, Trillanes has not issued any official statement regarding Duterte’s plan to file a libel case against him.
Related Post: Trillanes Accuses Duterte of Getting ‘Triggered’ Over Bank Waivers