Trillanes to file ethics, plunder complaint vs. Gordon

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday said that he is set to file an ethics and plunder complaint against Senator Richard Gordon.

"Malapit na at hindi lang ethics complaint ang ifa-file ko sa kanya. Criminal complaint din," Trillanes said during the Kapihan sa Senado when asked on whether his ethics complaint against Gordon is ready.

"I intend to file a plunder case against Senator Gordon so abangan ang susunod na kabanata," he added.

Trillanes said the plunder complaint against Gordon will be in connection with the latter's alleged corrupt acts as chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

Earlier this month, Gordon filed an ethics complaint against Trillanes for the latter's remark during the blue ribbon investigation into the case of the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China, saying that it was against the Senate code of ethics and "unparliamentary."

"Kami ay mga nag-a-abogado, 'komite de absuelto', bawal na bawal sa senador 'yan. 'Di gawain ng senador 'yan dahil sa ethics. Sinasabi lahat ng aksyon na masama 'yung magsasalita ka ng masama sa kapwa mong senador," Gordon said in a previous interview on Unang Balita.

"Acts of languages na nakaka-offend o nakakasakit sa senador or any public institution ay unparliamentary. At walang senador under any circumstances ay papayagang gumamit ng maanghang o 'di makabagay na lenggwahe," Gordon added.

A day after Gordon filed his complaint, Trillanes delivered a privilege speech where he vowed to file an ethics complaint as well as expose Gordon's alleged corrupt acts as Red Cross chair.

Gordon then took offense that the name of the Red Cross was dragged in Trillanes' privilege speech.

"Be careful. You can hurt me but not the movement. He can accuse me of corruption, that is his privilege. But do not drag the Red Cross especially when there is no proof of that.

"If he wants to file charges against me, he may do so. It’s a free country, I am ready to answer that," Gordon said.

The Senate ethics committee had found the complaint of Gordon sufficient in form and substance, except for one ground in relation to the two coup d’etat attempts Trillanes previously participated.

However, Trillanes said the case would not prosper.

"Alam niyo yung ethics complaint na 'yun it will not even go to second base, hanggang filing na lang 'yan... wala akong ginawang unparliamentary. That's where I'm coming from at alam ng mga senador 'yan," he said.

GMA News Online has reached to Gordon for his comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News