Trillanes says he will soon deal with an ex-President Duterte

Nixing a challenge to file an impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said at a press conference on Friday that he would do so when the chief executive is no longer in power.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque dared the fierce Duterte critic: "File an impeachment complaint against the president."

Trillanes responded, "Saka na. We’ll just deal with the crimes of Duterte 'pag wala na siya sa puwesto.”

The senator added, “Lahat itong mga ito we are just taking note of all his crimes then pag mawala na siya sa  puwesto and nakita n’yo naman ‘di ba, it can be sooner rather than later.”

Earlier, the senator said that Duterte might have committed two impeachable offenses when he allegedly encouraged the military to stage a mutiny or revolution and when he said that a sympathetic country gave him information on groups conniving to oust him.

"So let him file another impeachment complaint wala rin naman mangyayari dyan kasi wala naman talagang saysay. It's all about drama and political mileage,” Roque said.

Still opting to stay under the protection of the Senate, Trillanes has continued to trade barbs with Malacañang over Duterte's proclamation nullifying the amnesty given to him by former President Benigno Aquino III. 

Despite repeated assurances from Malacañang, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police that he would not be arrested without a warrant, unconvinced Trillanes insisted on staying inside Senate premises, still  doubting if the Palace could keep its word.

Last Thursday, a Makati court deferred decision on a plea to issue an order to arrest Trillanes. This Friday, another Makati court followed suit —no arrest warrant was issued. —LBG, GMA News