Trillanes disputes Roque: It’s admin’s policy to persecute foes

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV on Wednesday said it was the policy of the Duterte administration to persecute opponents as he contradicted Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s claim.

“Let me just state for the record na ganun na nga polisiya. Ako po sa totoo lang, mayroon akong siguro anim o pitong kasong kinahaharap simula nang naupo itong Duterte administrasyon and tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yan,” he said at a Senate hearing on fake news law against public officials.

READ: Roque warns vague ‘fake news’ law can be used to persecute opposition

Presidential Spokesperson Harry said that a “fake news” law with a vague language can be used to persecute the opposition.

But he immediately clarified that it was not the policy of the Duterte administration to do so.

Trillanes lamented that some officials of the President filed charges against him based on a privileged speech.

“‘Yung sinasabi niyong ‘no law can be passed abridging the freedom of expression,’ ito nga nakalagay na sa Constitution na ang privilege speech ay hindi covered,” he said.

Trillanes was facing various cases, including a charge of inciting to sedition for allegedly encouraging the military to shoot President Rodrigo Duterte.

But he had denied inciting anybody to do anything, maintaining that a privilege speech at the chamber has constitutionality guaranteed immunity from suit.