DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Presidential son and former vice mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio rejected the offer of the camp of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for a settlement of a libel case during a mediation hearing here on Friday.
Paolo, running unopposed as first district representative, and Carpio, husband of presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, thumbed down the offer of the camp of Trillanes and told them the case against the senator would proceed.
Paolo and Carpio have accused Trillanes of defamation, citing a radio interview in Cebu. This was the basis of the four counts of libel against the senator before the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 54.
In the interview, Trillanes reportedly accused the younger Duterte of corruption and extortion involving Uber and other companies regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Road Board and Department of Public Works and Highways.
Trillanes shrugged off the libel cases, saying these were meant to harass him. The senator had arrived here for arraignment.
“It’s very obvious that they are finding ways to shake me down, to harass me, but we will face it,” Trillanes had said.