Duterte’s camp on Trillanes’ recent accusations: ‘Malicious fabrications’

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday tagged former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s recent accusations as nothing more than “malicious fabrications” and “black propaganda.”

It said the former senator’s refusal to appear before the impeachment court shows that his narrations cannot survive legal scrutiny.

Duterte’s spokesperson Atty. Paolo Panelo Jr. made the pronouncement after Trillanes held a recent press conference.

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In the media briefing, Trillanes said that P319 million from the Chinese government and China-based corporations went to CALLE88 Foods Corp., a company linked to the vice president’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

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READ: Trillanes links P319-M China funds to Sara Duterte husband’s firm

Trillanes further said that a foundation where Duterte is an incorporator, the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines Inc., received a P150 million donation from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines.

READ: Firm linked to VP Duterte had fictitious head – Trillanes

In a statement, Panelo likened these “malicious fabrications” to previous allegations made by various individuals linked to Trillanes, which, Panelo recalled, eventually held no water.

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Panelo said these accusations include that of late Atty. Jude Sabio, who ended up withdrawing his communication from the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Panelo also cited the statements of Arturo Lascañas, a self-proclaimed member of the Davao Death Squad who accused the vice president of being one of the architects of the “Oplan Tokhang.”

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Panelo asserted that it is because of these “repeated, unmasked deceptions” that the Filipino people also “rejected” Trillanes’ attempt to get elected back into public office.

The lawyer then pointed out that Trillanes’ personal decision not to appear before the Senate impeachment court right when Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth was being tackled exacerbated the veracity of his accusations.

“The moment he was faced with the very first opportunity to test his wild claims against actual facts, verified records, and law through cross-examination by the vice president’s defense team, Trillanes folded,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Instead of defending his claims under oath, he chose the comfort of a safe and scripted press conference where his lies could once again go unchallenged,” he noted.

“This sudden retreat is absolute proof that his claims cannot survive real legal scrutiny, and are nothing but black propaganda, which is par for the course for a professional character assassin,” he added.

Panelo said Duterte “would gladly sue” Trillanes for these “endless fabrications.”

But now, Panelo thinks the vice president sees that this action will be useless.

“Confident that the law, the facts, and the evidence are squarely on her side, the vice president will let the evidence before the Senate Impeachment Court speak for itself,” said Panelo.

“Her defense team stands ready to refute whatever Trillanes accusation the prosecution believes is even credible enough for the court’s serious consideration,” he added.

Asked for clarification whether this essentially meant Duterte has no plans to pursue legal action against Trillanes, Panelo responded: 

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“I wouldn’t rule it out, but we are aware of how futile it will be, in terms of getting a just result under this current administration.” /apl