Tiu files P5-M damage suit vs Trillanes

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is facing a P5-million damage suit before the Quezon City regional trial court for accusing a businessman of being a dummy of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Businessman Antonio Tiu is seeking P4 million in moral damages, P500,000 in exemplary damages and P500,000 in attorney’s fees.

In a statement, Tiu counsel Czarina Quintanilla said her client has suffered as a result of what she described as defamatory statements against him given to the media by Trillanes, which are outside the official duties of a senator or member of any Senate committee.

Denying that he is Binay’s dummy, Tiu said his businesses are in the agriculture sector, and that he owns Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corp., the registered owner of a 350-hectare farm in Batangas.

Quintanilla said Trillanes made an allegedly defamatory statement against Tiu last Oct. 9 in an interview with broadcaster Ted Failon over dzMM radio, when he called him “an ideal dummy” for Binay.

“As a consequence of the statements, the businesses of Tiu have been affected, including particularly the publicly listed corporations AgriNurture, Inc. and Greenergy Holdings, Inc.,” she said.

“Both corporations have seen their respective share prices drop since the statements were made.’’

Quintanilla said in another interview on ANC television, Trillanes said Tiu’s being a legitimate businessman made him “a perfect dummy for this Binay hacienda.”

A text message that Trillanes allegedly sent to members of the media on Oct. 14 stated: “Tony Tiu is a dummy of the Binays,” she added.

Binay to Trillanes: Let’s debate

Vice President Binay has challenged Senator Trillanes to a debate.

He hurled the challenge during an open forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on Tuesday night.

Speaking to reporters at the Manila Hotel yesterday, Binay said he wants to debate Trillanes so he can answer the allegations against him point by point.

Trillanes is determined to destroy him, he added.

Speaking to reporters, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Binay’s spokesman for political concerns, said Trillanes has no immunity from suit in a public debate.

“He (Trillanes) better have the documents ready, the whole truth, irrefutable, otherwise we can sue him,” he said.

During the KBP open forum, Binay said senators investigating the allegations against him have already “pre-judged” the proceedings.

“I think we’ve all been following developments in the Senate – we’d only be ridiculed there,” he said.

“I don’t want to reach that level where you’re scorned and ridiculed. If they don’t agree with what you say, they threaten you – I don’t think that’s right. I won’t dignify it.”

The investigation’s sole purpose is to show that he is not qualified to be president, he added.

Remulla said Binay is ready for the one-on-one debate with Trillanes “anytime, anywhere.”

“There will be no limitations on the agenda,” he said.

“It’s up to him (Trillanes), within the next two weeks, he can choose the venue, television channel, the moderator. But we prefer the deans of College of Law so the debate will be academic.”

The law deans can also temper and set the conditions on the tenure of the debate, he added.

They would still study if Binay would attend the investigation once the Senate Blue Ribbon committee has invited him, he added.

P15.6-million log cabin

Remulla said Vice President Binay does not own a P15.6-million log cabin in a luxurious residential community in Tagaytay City.

“I think when the family go there for vacation they would lease units for a day,” he said.

“But we checked the records, there is no such thing as units owned or leased by the Vice President.”

Former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado told the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that Binay acquired the property when he was mayor.

The three-bedroom cabin is located at The Woodlands in Tagaytay Highlands, he added.

Mercado presented a reservation letter for the property, dated Jan. 31, 1997.

He also showed billing statements and receipts from the Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club signed by Binay’s wife Elenita and his daughter, Sen. Nancy Binay. – Reinir Padua, Helen Flores