Trillanes posts bail for conspiracy to commit sedition case

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV posted bail Tuesday to remain free while he awaits trial for a criminal case over an alleged plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

Trillanes posted P10,000 as bail for a conspiracy to commit sedition case government prosecutors filed against him and 10 others for allegedly agreeing to spread allegations that Duterte and his family are involved in the illegal drug trade.

The former senator and prominent administration critic returned from abroad on Tuesday morning and went to the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court to post bail.

He and the other defendants were ordered arrested last week.

They are accused of conspiring to spread "malicious" allegations against the President and his family "with no other purpose but to inflict an act of hate or revenge" against them.

Prosecutors found that they did not incite the public to rise against the government and thus cleared them of the graver offenses of sedition or inciting to sedition, but still charged them with conspiracy because the law punishes "mere agreement."

Apart from Trillanes, Peter Joemel Advincula alias Bikoy, former police official Eduardo Acierto, Jonnel Sangalang, Yolanda Ong, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Fr. Albert Alejo, Vicente Romano III, Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, and one alias "Monique" were also charged.

They face two to four years in prison if convicted.

Advincula, the man who claimed to be the narrator of the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos and then accused the Liberal Party of producing them as part of an anti-Duterte plot, posted bail on Monday.

Trillanes faces two inciting to sedition cases before the Pasay courts over his statements against Duterte.

He also faces a revived rebellion case before the Makati Regional Trial Court. —KBK, GMA News