CA summons Trillanes over bribery allegations

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has been summoned to appear before the Court of Appeals (CA) to explain his allegations that two justices were paid P25 million each to stop an earlier preventive suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.

“Be that as it may, we believe that there are matters to be clarified, hence, there is a need to set a hearing to allow parties to be heard and for this Court to propound classificatory questions to the parties or their witnesses,” read the order.

Associate Justice Stephen Cruz wrote the order, a copy of which was obtained by reporters yesterday.

Associate Justices Ramon Paul Hernando and Maria Luisa Quijano-Padilla concurred.

The Special Fifth Division had set the case for oral arguments to clarify certain issues.

Trillanes was ordered to appear before the CA on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. for the hearing on the contempt petition that Binay had filed against him.

He was told to explain why he should not be cited in contempt and penalized over his allegations against Associate Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Francisco Acosta.

Binay was also asked to give his side and present witnesses.

Trillanes said he will face all legal actions pertaining to his allegations of bribery against the two justices.

“The lawyers will know what to do and what I have to do,” he said.

“As far as I am concerned, it goes both ways. If we are summoned or compelled, then I will go there. But when the time comes and they are required to go there too, then they should be ready.” 

Trillanes said that he stands by his allegations derived from highly credible sources.

“Definitely we are very sure about the information and I stand by those statements,” he said.

Trillanes said the CA cannot compel him to reveal the source of his information.

“I don’t think they can do that, otherwise no one would confide in us anymore,” he said. “We will do whatever we need to do.” 

In an 11-page petition last April,  Binay specifically asked the CA to cite Trillanes in indirect contempt and impose on him the maximum penalty under the law for such an offense. – With Marvin Sy