Davao court issues warrant vs Trillanes for bailable libel case

MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 3:24 p.m.)  — A Davao court has issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV over the libel case filed by former Davao City vice mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte.

According to a report by PTV4, Davao City Branch 54 fixed the bail bond at P24,000.

Presiding Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang issued a one-page warrant of arrest against the senator for the libel case filed by Duterte.

The court said that Trillanes may pay the bond by depositing it at a collector of the Bureau of International revenue or a provincial, city or municipal treasure and upon submission of a proper certificate of deposit.

“The bail may be approved by any Judge of any Regional Trial Court sitting in the Province of the City where the accused is being held; by a Metropolitan [or] Municipal Trial Judge or Municipal Circuit Trial Judge who shall transmit the same, together with the release papers to this court,” part of the warrant read.

The court earlier held a motion hearing on the government’s plea to issue a hold departure order against Trillanes, but deferred ruling on the prosecution’s plea on December 11.

Duterte, the president's son, accused Trillanes of defaming him and his family in a radio interview in Cebu.

In the interview cited in the complaint, the senator accused Duterte of corruption and extortion involving Uber and other companies regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Road Board and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Trillanes earlier said that the libel suit is meant to harass him.

In a press briefing in September, the senator said: “It’s very, very obvious that they are finding ways to shake me down, to harass me, but we will face it.”