Junjun to Trillanes: No settlement of libel case

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay has refused to enter into an amicable settlement of the libel case he filed against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Trillanes pleaded not guilty to the libel complaint during his arraignment at the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 142 yesterday morning.

Binay filed the case against the senator before the Office of the Makati City Prosecutor in April 2015 for “publicly and maliciously” accusing him and his family of bribing the members of the sixth division of the Court of Appeals in exchange for favorable action on his prayer for a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction against his suspension order.

Dan Subido, Binay’s counsel, said they are looking forward to convicting Trillanes.

“Let this be a lesson to him so that he will no longer use his position in bullying and destroying the reputation of people,” Subido said.

After Trillanes entered his plea, the court inquired from both parties if they were willing to discuss the possibility of an amicable settlement of the case.

Trillanes nodded, indicating his consent, but Binay stood firm and said, “No, your honor.”

Binay’s camp said they are closing their doors to any negotiations.

As a result, the court then set the continuation of the proceedings on Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

Trillanes: I won’t be deterred

For his part, Trillanes IV said he would not be deterred from bringing down more corrupt people like former vice president Jejomar Binay and his son and namesake, Junjun.

Speaking with reporters at the Senate after his arraignment yesterday, Trillanes said he would continue to submit himself to the legal processes and face whatever charge is filed against him.

“It will not stop from bringing down corrupt people like them,” Trillanes said.

He said that he expects the Binays to be convicted of plunder before the Sandiganbayan even before his libel case is resolved at the lower court.

Sen. Nancy Binay said that her family is just exercising their right to defend themselves by filing the libel case against Trillanes.

“It was not done to stop him. We are just exercising our rights,” she said.

She added that Trillanes was maligning their reputation and perhaps there is truth to their complaint now that he has been arraigned.

She noted that the relationship between Trillanes and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who were together in investigating her father and brother, has soured after they clashed over a witness on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.