Palace tells Trillanes: Focus on legal defense not on facing cameras

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV should focus on preparing his legal defense instead of “facing the cameras,” Malacañang said Tuesday.

The statement came after Trillanes, who posted bail before the Makati Regional Trial Court, held a press briefing upon his return to the Senate building.

“Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has once again played the victim card, resorting to ad hominem attacks against the President,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“We ask the lawmaker, instead of facing the cameras, to focus his time and energy in preparing his legal defense,” he added.

Trillanes returned to the Senate after he secured temporary freedom after posting bail before the Makati City RTC Branch 150 that ordered his arrest for a rebellion case dismissed in 2011.

READ: Trillanes secures temporary freedom after posting bail

The Makati court on Tuesday afternoon issued the arrest warrant against Trillanes, one of President Duterte’s staunchest critics, over his role in the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007.

The senator has been holed up at the Senate for three weeks after Duterte revoked the amnesty granted to him by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Malacañang went on to say that Trillanes “should view this as a welcome opportunity to submit his evidence that will prove that the grant of amnesty to him was valid.” /ee

READ: Arrest Trillanes – Makati court