Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will “voluntarily submit” himself in court if it was true that a warrant of arrest was issued against him in connection with a libel case filed by dismissed Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, the senator’s lawyer said on Monday.
“We have not received our official copy of the investigating prosecutor’s resolution; but if it is true that she recommended the filing of an Information for libel in court, Sen. Trillanes will readily face the charges against him in court,” Robles said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, Sen. Trillanes is on official trip abroad attending an international forum. The moment he arrives, he will voluntarily submit himself to the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court, if so required.”
“Needless to state, this is without prejudice to the senator’s right to file a motion for reconsideration or even appeal said resolution to the Department of Justice, if warranted by the circumstances,” Robles added.
A Makati court had reportedly issued the arrest warrant against the senator after the prosecutor’s allegedly office found probable cause to charge him in court.
READ: Makati court orders arrest of Trillanes over Junjun Binay’s libel suit
The case stemmed from Trillanes’ allegations that Mayor Binay had allegedly bought an injunction from the Court of Appeals to stop his suspension in connection with the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall 2 parking building.
Trillanes, in a text message to reporters, reiterated his readiness to continue his exposes against the Binay family despite the filing of the libel charge against him.
“If the Binay family believes that I can be intimidated and threatened from exposing them, they are badly mistaken. I will do everything I can to make sure that plunderers will not rule this country again” he said.
Robles also expressed confidence that any attempt to intimidate his client would not succeed.
“In 2003, Sen. Trillanes was jailed for exposing anomalies in the government. I believe he is ready to face any consequence, including facing malicious cases and possible imprisonment, just to let the people know the truth regarding the massive corruption in Makati,” he said.
“This is especially true since Sen. Trillanes exposés about corruption are well within the scope of his mandate and his immunity as Senator of the Republic,” the lawyer added.