MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Chinese businessman Antonio "Tony" Tiu tagged in the corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday filed a defamation complaint against Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV.
Tiu's lawyer, Czarina Quintanilla filed the civil complaint against Trillanes before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office for "various" statements he made against Tiu.
Trillanes, one of the three members of the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee probing into the alleged overpricing of a Makati City project under former mayor Binay, accused Tiu of being Binay's front in the ownership of an expansive property in Batangas.
Tiu's camp wants Trillanes to pay P4 million in moral damages as well as P1 million in exemplary damages and legal fees, a radio report said.
"Ito ay ikinaso namin dahil po sa sari-saring defamatory [statements] na ginawa ni Sen. Trillanes labas sa aming kliyente," Quintanilla said in an interview with dzMM.
Quintanilla added that Trillanes' accusations are not in keeping with his position as a senator and affects Tiu's role as a respected businessman.
"Labanan ng prinsipyo ito. Kami po ay naninindihan sa katotohanan," the lawyer said.
As the complaint was filed, Tiu faced the Trillanes and the rest of the Senate panel on Wednesday in an effort to clear his name from the controversies.
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Tiu, chief executive of Greenergy Holdings, said in the Senate investigation that he has legitimate businesses which he developed through the years. - Camille Diola