FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed a cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice against Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, and 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines, over statements made during a June 4 Senate hearing that he described as “manufactured lies.” The 25-page complaint-affidavit, dated June 25, 2026, accuses the respondents of violating Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 to 358 of the Revised Penal Code.
The complaint stemmed from testimonies during a hearing conducted by the Cayetano-led bloc on June 4, which Trillanes labeled a “sham” and “bogus hearing” following the Senate leadership reorganization the previous day.
During the proceedings, respondent Bernard Gumban claimed he delivered cash to Trillanes on two occasions — first a paper bag containing an estimated P5 million to P10 million, and later six suitcases — to the former senator’s office in Quezon City.
Another respondent, Belnard Tube, alleged involvement in currency exchange transactions and deliveries of dollars allegedly intended for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.
“I categorically deny receiving money from Zaldy Co to give to the ICC or for any other purpose,” Trillanes said in a text message in English and Filipino.
He argued that the statements constitute libel as they publicly impute crimes, vices or defects tending to cause dishonor, discredit or contempt.
Trillanes pointed to remarks by Cayetano, who stated during the hearing that “iba ‘yung male-maleta kasi male-maleta implies bribery (it’s different when it’s suitcases because suitcases imply bribery),” and “it is also bad to pay people to make it appear na meron EJK kung wala (there are extrajudicial killings if there are none).”
Marcoleta, according to the complaint, insinuated that Trillanes acted treacherously by helping ICC investigators, asking: “Sino nagkanulo ngayon sa ating pangulo? (Who betrayed our president now?)” and “bakit tayo pa ang tumulong sa kanila para usigin ang kapwa natin Pilipino? (Why did we help them prosecute our fellow Filipinos?).”
Trillanes said that the June 4 hearing was not an official Senate proceeding, as it followed the June 3 reorganization where Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected acting Senate president and Sen. Erwin Tulfo was named Blue Ribbon Committee chairman.
“At most, it can be considered an ordinary or regular press conference, dressed in the guise of a public hearing,” the complaint states.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier warned that participants in the Cayetano-led probe “may face legal consequences” as the hearing was not in official Senate records, meaning parliamentary immunity cannot be invoked.
The complaint highlights contradictions in the respondents’ testimonies. Gumban allegedly claimed deliveries were made to Trillanes’ residence in one interview but to his office during the June 4 hearing. His reference to “Security Ojeda” instead of “Scout Ojeda” was cited as evidence he was unfamiliar with the location.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has reportedly clarified that “all of its activities, including investigations, are fully covered by The Hague-based tribunal’s budget and managed independently,” directly contradicting claims of bribery, according to the complaint.
Trillanes argued that the respondents acted in conspiracy, pointing to their “unity of action, design and purpose” in executing a “clearly malicious and dubious” joint affidavit and attending the hearing together.
“The act of one should be considered as the act of all,” the complaint stated, citing the law on conspiracy.
