By Jelly Musico/PNA
MANILA — Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is not excused from prosecution and should instead face squarely the four warrants of arrest ordered by a Davao City court against him, Malacañang said Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo made the statement after Trillanes described the justice system under the Duterte administration as “topsy-turvy.”
Panelo said the Davao City RTC ordered his arrest for the crime of libel arising from a complaint filed by presidential son Paolo Duterte and presidential son-in-law Manases Carpio in September.
“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,” Panelo said in a statement.
“Senator Trillanes is certainly out of his wits. 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 said Trillanes should focus on the legal remedies available to him instead of attacking the administration.
“Everyone must be accountable for any wrongdoing or infraction of any law. His being a Senator cannot 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,” Panelo said.
