Trillanes files cyberlibel complaint vs Alan Peter Cayetano, Marcoleta, 18 ex-bodyguards

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed a cyberlibel complaint against Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing held by the Cayetano bloc on June 4, which he called a “rogue” hearing.

Also included as respondents are the 18 individuals who claimed to deliver cash from former lawmaker Zaldy Co to various personalities.

According to Trillanes, the senators had no parliamentary immunity or authority to conduct the hearing.

“Sila ‘yung nag facilitate noon, nag extract nung mga kasinungalingan na sinabi nung mga 18 bodyguards, ‘no?” Trillanes said in an ambush interview.

(They facilitated it, they extracted the lies from the 18 bodyguards.)

In the complaint, Trillanes also alleged that a conspiracy exists between the lawmakers and the 18 individuals. He said that Cayetano affirmed the “libelous accusations” of the 18 with “equally defamatory observations.”

He said that Marcoleta, meanwhile, insinuated that his connection to the International Criminal Court is “rapacious and traitorous.”

To recall, the former Senate minority bloc, as well as sole majority bloc member Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President amid the continued absence of Cayetano and other majority members during the plenary session.

They also announced new chairmanships of several committees following the shakeup.

“The day before [the hearing], napalitan na si Cayetano. Napalitan na rin si Marcoleta bilang Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. And yet pinursue nila ‘yun,” he said.

(The day before the hearing, Cayetano was replaced. Marcoleta was also replaced as Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chairman. And yet they pursued it.)

Meanwhile, Trillanes said the 18 individuals repeated their allegation against him during the hearing.

“Because of that wala silang parliamentary immunity. Muli inulit nila ‘yung mga kasinungalingan na sinabi nila na nag bigay sila ng male-maletang pera sa akin para sa ICC. Hindi po totoo ‘yun,” he said.

(Because of that, they have no parliamentary immunity. They repeated the lies they made that they gave me suitcases full of money for the ICC. That is not true.)

Trillanes previously filed separate perjury and cyberlibel complaints against the 18 ex-bodyguards in March.

He said the complaints have been submitted for resolution.

“Itong mga 18 ex-bodyguards na ito, habang patuloy silang nagpapagamit doon sa mga political backers nila ay ano, meron silang kakaharapin na consequence,” he said.

(These 18 former bodyguards, as long as they continue allowing themselves to be used by their political backers, will face consequences.) —RF, GMA News