MANILA, Philippines — "Bring it on."
This was former senator Antonio Trillanes IV's response to The Manila Times when sought for his reaction to threats by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte of taking him to court over his alleged "malicious fabrications" about cash flowing from China to companies linked to the vice president and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
Trillanes refused to elaborate when pressed and said in Filipino, "It is what it is."
Malacanang and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called on Trillanes to substantiate his claims.
In a statement on Saturday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro echoed Teodoro, saying that the accusations carry weight and warrant formal investigation by security authorities if supported by verified proof.
"The allegations of former senator Trillanes, if substantiated, raise serious implications for national security," Teodoro said.
"He should submit the evidence in his possession, if any, to our law enforcement authorities so the matter can be thoroughly investigated,” he added.
In Friday’s press conference in San Juan City, Trillanes alleged that more than P319 million from Chinese entities and corporations flowed into CALE88, a company owned by the vice president’s husband.
He said another P150 million went into ‘Tapang at Malasakit,’ an organization associated with Duterte.
Showing a document, Trillanes alleged that Malasakit received P150 million in 2019 from the Chinese Embassy in Manila for the construction of 13 school buildings, as stated in a memorandum of understanding dated Aug. 8, 2018.
Duterte spokesman lawyer Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. said the “vice president would gladly sue him for these endless fabrications.”
Panelo, however, pointed to what he described as Duterte’s camp’s experience with people who make allegations against her and her family, citing Ramil Madriaga and Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. as examples of individuals who were “openly protected and propped up by this administration.”
