Graft allegations, not P6.4-B shabu mess, pushed Paolo Duterte-Mans Carpio suit vs. Trillanes

It was allegations about  graft and not about the P6.4 billion shabu mess that pushed Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and brother-in-law lawyer Manases Carpio to file a civil case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, their legal counsel told GMA News Online.

“I can only confirm the fact of filing but I cannot discuss in public the merits. Anyway, the subject matter is not the 6.4B drug smuggling,” lawyer Rainier Madrid told GMA News Online in a text message.

“It’s a damage suit based on the libelous accusation by (Trillanes) against my clients for alleged corruption and graft for the purported Uber franchise and other similar corporations daw and conspiracy with LTFRB RD 7 Dir. [Cuizon] and for graft and corruption purportedly in the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] and the Road Board,” he added, referring to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon.

In a report by Cebu regional newspaper The Freeman in September, Trillanes accused Cuizon of extortion from Uber and similar ride-hailing companies together with Duterte and Carpio.

"Alam ng LTFRB official na yan na alam niya ang sinasabi ko,” Trillanes was quoted from a radio interview.

"Nationally merong shakedown at ang grupo ni Mans Carpio at Paolo pati yung prangkisa sa Uber at iba pang similar companies kinikilkilan ng porsiyento," he added.

The plaintiffs are asking P6.6 million in damages from Trillanes.

During the P6.4-billion shabu shipment Senate hearing, Trillanes had asked Carpio if he knows Cuizon. Carpio said no.

The Freeman report also said Trillanes accused Duterte, Carpio, and Cuizon of extortion at the Road Users Board.

In a Facebook post following the allegations, Cuizon denied Trillanes’ allegations.

“There may have been some misinformation reaching Senator Antonio Trillanes regarding an alleged extortion being done on Uber by Atty. Mans Carpio and myself,” he said.

Duterte and Carpio on December 27 filed a case against Trillanes “for damages.” The case was raffled off to Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 15. The branch’s clerk of court lawyer Kaiser Kate Narciso did not elaborate. —JST, GMA News