Duterte son to file charges vs Trillanes
PRESIDENTIAL SON Paolo Z. Duterte is set to file criminal and civil charges against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV for implicating him in the smuggling of about P6.4 million worth of the illegal drug shabu last year. In a statement released Thursday, Mr. Duterte said he is filing the cases against Mr. Trillanes for “viciously destroying my name, maligning my reputation and integrity, and for deliberately manufacturing lies and spreading black propaganda against me.” Mr. Duterte resigned as Davao City mayor last Dec. after appearing before the Senate to deny the accusations against him. The President’s eldest son said Mr. Trillanes was apparently emboldened by his false reliance on and abuse of his parliamentary immunity. “But this immunity does not apply to libelous remarks made during media interviews, clearly as these attacks were done outside the halls of the Senate — and definitely not when these were discharged with the pure intention of destroying me,” he said. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Carmencita A. Carillo