Trillanes posts bail for libel filed by Paolo Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday posted bail for the four cases of libel filed against him by former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio.

Trillanes’ bail amounted to P96,000 or P24,000 for each of four counts of libel.

Three hours after depositing bail at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Trillanes stepped out of the courtroom carrying the order issued by Judge Rowena Nieves Tan for the lifting of the arrest warrants.

Last week the Davao City RTC Branch 54 issued four arrest warrants against the senator.

The Pasay court ordered Trillanes to follow up his arraignment at the Davao court within 30 days.

Trillanes said that before posting bail, he surrendered before the Pasay court as this is located near the Senate.

He said the cases were part of what he described as harassment against him for criticizing the Duterte family.

The libel cases against Trillanes stemmed from his statements accusing the brothers-in-law of involvement in the P6.4-billion shabu smuggling.

He also accused Duterte of extortion on ride-sharing firm Uber and other companies.

Aside from lifting the arrest warrants, the Pasay City court also withdrew a motion filed by the Department of Justice, which sought the issuance of a hold order against Trillanes.

The court granted the motion of Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado, who said he has no witnesses to testify.

Trillanes is scheduled to leave today to attend activities in Europe and the United States. He will be away until Jan. 12.