Trillanes on Duterte’s subpoena threat: ‘Just do it’

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — “Just do it,” said opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to subpoena his mother.

In a speech Tuesday night, Duterte said he would subpoena Trillanes’ mother, whom he accused of having anomalous business transactions with the Philippine Navy when the senator was still in the military.

“Sumobra ka. We will initiate an investigation kagaya mo and I will subpoena your mother sa ayaw mo’t sa hindi. Baka sabihin mong walang power, there is. We also have the contempt power but we have to go to court,” the President said.

READ: Duterte says he will ‘subpoena’ Trillanes mother over ‘shady’ Navy deals

But Trillanes played down Duterte’s fresh threat.

“Since September last year, Duterte has been saying that he asked different agencies to investigate the supposed anomalous transactions of my mother. But up to now, he has yet to show even a shred of evidence to prove his baseless allegations,” he said in a statement.

“Now, Duterte is threatening to subpoena my mother. Just do it and let it be another humiliating episode for you like the fake offshore bank accounts you alleged against me,” the senator added.

He was referring to the President’s earlier allegation that Trillanes had bank accounts in Singapore but later admitted that he just “invented” his claim.

READ: Duterte: I ‘invented’ bank account number of Trillanes

“Mahirap dito kay Duterte hindi lang ako kaya, kaya ang nanay kong may sakit ang pinagdidiskitahan. Sige lang, do your worst while I count the days…” said Trillanes, a known staunch critic of the President. /je