Trillanes Fights Back: New Cyber Libel Case Targets Ex-Marines, SMNI Hosts

Former senator Sonny Trillanes IV filed a new cyber libel complaint on Monday before the Department of Justice, going after 18 men identified as “ex-Marines” along with several SMNI hosts. The case stems from accusations that he supposedly delivered bribe money to the International Criminal Court.

This fresh complaint came nearly three weeks after Trillanes had already filed a perjury complaint against the same group, plus an earlier cyber libel case against lawyer Levi Baligod, former congressman Mike Defensor, former broadcaster Jay Sonza, Lorraine Badoy, and vlogger Cathy Binag. Tuloy-tuloy ang legal counterattack niya against the people pushing the allegation.

Trillanes said the narratives being told by his accusers keep changing whenever they appear in different interviews. He pointed out that some are now claiming money was delivered to his home in bags and suitcases, which he said contradicts their original joint affidavit and earlier public statements.

According to Rappler’s report, Trillanes based the complaint on the group’s February 23 press conference, their joint affidavit, a Jessica Soho interview aired on March 1, a March 5 Pasig press conference, and an SMNI interview. He also named SMNI hosts Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Oliver “Coach Oli” Cristobal, “Master Judea,” and Arjay “Pareng Arjay” Piodina for allegedly provoking and amplifying the claims.

Trillanes said the latest filing will not be his last if the accusations continue. The article also noted that other personalities, including Leila de Lima, Father Flavie Villanueva, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, have filed complaints tied to the same controversy, which critics have linked to the timing of the ICC proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague.

Source: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/trillanes-sues-ex-marines-smni-hosts-cyber-libel-icc-bribery-claim/