(Eagle News)–Senator Antonio Trillanes IV pleaded not guilty to the libel charges filed against him by former Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.
Trillanes entered the plea before the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 54 on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
The four counts of libel stem from Trillanes’ claims the presidential son was linked to drug smuggling and extortion involving ride-sharing service Uber and other companies.
Trillanes is out on bail for rebellion and is facing coup d’tat charges in connection with his participation in the Oakwood mutiny and Peninsula Manila siege in 2003 and 2007.
Prosecutors argued the earlier dismissal of these charges no longer holds after the amnesty granted to Trillanes for those crimes was revoked by Proclamation No. 572.
