LAWYERS OF the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) yesterday filed a complaint against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV for allegedly committing the crimes of inciting to sedition, conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat, and graft.

“It is respectfully prayed of the honorable investigating office/s to conduct a preliminary investigation and after proper proceedings, find probable cause to indict Antonio F. Trillanes IV and other personalities (John Does,/Jane Does) who may have conspired with him, in the commission of the crimes of inciting to sedition (several counts), conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat and violation of Sec. 3 (e ), R.A. No. 3019,” reads part of the 15-page complaint filed on Nov. 16 before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s office.

The anti-crime and corruption lawyers pointed out that Mr. Trillanes uttered seditious words in his privilege speech before the Senate last Oct. 3, making it appear that President Rodrigo R. Duterte had bank transactions from 2006 to 2015 totaling to P2 billion.

Mr. Trillanes emphasized in his speech that the President had deposited P50 million at least 13 times in one bank account, saying: “Pag tinotal mo, ‘yon pa lang P700 million, aabot na.”

Mr. Trillanes, a staunch critic of the President, added that in another bank account of Mr. Duterte, he discovered at least 20 deposits of P40 million to P50 million each.

The senator also claimed that Mr. Duterte bought in one day P80 million worth of insurance for his four children.”

VACC also argued that Mr. Trillanes committed conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat when he stated in his privilege speech: “So ito ngayon sagot. Kung makikita ’to ng mga sundalo, M60 machine gun ang gagamatin sa ’yo. Marami-rami ito, maubos magazine kung P40 million hinahanap mo, Mr. Duterte (So here’s the answer now. If the soldiers could see this, they will use an M60 machine gun on you. These are many. The magazines will be emptied if you’re looking for P40 million, Mr. Duterte).”

“Moreover, he caused undue injury to President Duterte, including the Government in violation of Sec. 3( e), R.A. No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, through evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, when he irresponsibly and recklessly and continuously accused sans evidence, the President of keeping over P2 billion in his bank accounts an/or has amassed ill-gotten wealth.”

Section 3e of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, states: “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”

Sought for comment, Mr. Trillanes said in a text message to reporters: “These Duterte minions are doing all sorts of harassment against me in the hope that they would be able to divert my attention. Sorry, but I remain focused on finding ways to continue to expose Duterte’s murders, corruption and secret bank accounts; as well as Polong’s BoC (Bureau of Customs) smuggling and involvement in the 6.4b peso shabu shipment.”

Polong is one of Mr. Duterte’s sons, Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

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