Senator Antonio Trillanes. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV shrugged off on Thursday a Pasay City court’s decision to approve the filing of inciting to sedition case against him.
“Hindi gaya ni Duterte na duwag humarap sa kaso; haharapin ko ito,” Trillanes said in a statement, apparently referring to Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute.
(I’m not like Duterte who’s afraid to face cases; I’ll face this case.)
The Rome Statute is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court where Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity over his administration’s deadly war on drugs.
“Maliwanag na baluktot at panggigipit itong kasong ito na nakabase sa privilege speech ko sa Senado na bukod na sa merong constitutionally guaranteed immunity from suit, ay wala akong inincite na kung sino to do anything,” the senator said.
IN THE KNOW: Crime of sedition
(It’s clear that this is case is warped and it’s based on my privilege speech in the Senate which besides having constitutionally guaranteed immunity from suit, I’m also not inciting anyone to do anything.)
“Kung ang pakay nito ay takutin ako para umatras ako sa pagpuna kay Duterte, well, sabi ko nga dati pa, lalo pa akong ginaganahan tumayo laban sa mali at masama,” he added.
(If the purpose of this is to scare me to back away from criticizing Duterte, well, like I said before, the more I’m energized to stand against what’s wrong and evil.)
The case stemmed from Trillanes’ “kill” remark against Duterte in a privilege speech he delivered in the Senate in October last year.
“Kung makikita ito ng mga sundalo, M-60 ang gagamitin sa’yo kasi marami-rami ito. Mauubos ‘yung magasin, kung P40 million ‘yung hinahanap mo,” the senator said in the speech where he repeated his accusation that Duterte had allegedly amassed unexplained wealth.
(If the soldiers can see this, they will use M-60 because this is a lot. The magazines will be emptied out, if you’re looking for the P40 million.) /je
READ: Pasay prosecutor approves inciting to sedition rap vs Trillanes