Binay camp: Trillanes not a big threat

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV is not the ideal opponent that Vice President Jejomar Binay can face as he still lacks years in the Senate, Binay's camp said Friday.

Lawyer JV Bautista, spokesman for Binay, said Trillanes is not as experienced in making arguments as seasoned senators like Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor Santiago.

"Itong senador na 'to, hindi naman siya kilalang magaling na senador," Bautista said in an interview over Radyo Singko, insisting that the vice president is not anxious about facing him in a public forum.

Bautista said that the debate being organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas is a "good development" following Trillanes' acceptance of Binay's challenge.

Binay is embroiled in controversies of alleged corruption while he was still Makati City mayor, while Trillanes is one of the three members of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee probing the issues.

The spokesperson said that the upcoming event is not an ordinary debate as it is of great public and national interest.

"Hindi lang ito debate ng dalawang tao lang, ito ay debate ng dalawang [opisyal na] galing sa malalaking institution ng pamahalaan," he said.

He said, however, that while Binay is the second highest official of the land, Trillanes cannot represent the Senate as a whole as it is a collegial body.

Bautista accused Trillanes anew of threatening witnesses invited to the Senate hearing who have testimonies in favor of Binay.

"Gusto ko nga siya tanungin, Mr. Trillanes, how many people have you threatened today? Have you reached your quota?" Bautista said. - Camille Diola