PRESIDENTIAL son and former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte has filed a complaint against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for libelous and defamatory accusation of corruption and extortion.
Based on the younger Duterte’s complaint-affidavit, a copy of which was released by the Office of the Prosecutor in Davao City Thursday, September 6, Trillanes allegedly made a libelous statement against the presidential son during an interview with broadcaster Leo Lastimosa of DYAB Cebu on September 8, 2017.
The allegations of corruption and extortion against Duterte involved transport network vehicle service Uber and other companies regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Road Board and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“In or about September 2017, my brother-in-law, Atty. Manases 'Mans' Carpio, showed me a teleradio video clip phone patch interview of the respondent with Leo Lastimosa of DYAB Cebu,” Duterte stated in the complaint-affidavit.
“Specifically, respondent indicted me and Atty. Carpio of ‘pangingikil’ against UBER in connection with its claimed franchise, and against ‘similar companies’ purportedly in conspiracy with LTFRB RD7 Director Ahmed Cuison,” he added, referring to then LTFRB regional director Ahmed Cuizon.
Duterte also stated that Trillanes’ statements were “accusation and black propaganda” against him and Carpio who also filed a separate libel case against the senator.
In December 2017, Paolo and Carpio filed a civil case against Trillanes for involving them in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment controversy.
The two filed the case at the Office of the Clerk of Court on December 27 and it was raffled off to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 under the sala of Judge Mario Duaves.