Palace: Duterte focused on economy, not Trillanes

By GENALYN KABILING

PRESIDENT Duterte is occupied with efforts to curb the country’s inflation, and not obsessed on the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President has al­ready directed concerned gov­ernment agencies to streamline importation procedures of agri­cultural products and ensure their seamless transport to the markets to boost supply and tame the price hikes.

“Ina-assure ko sa inyo hindi po obsessed ang Presidente kay Trillanes. Mga abugado lang po nag-aasikaso niyan at iyan naman talaga ay trabaho ng mga piskal at SolGen,” Roque said in a radio interview.

“Ang tutok po talaga namin iyung inflation. Iyung economic team po, walang ibang ginawa kundi mag-isip ng mga paraan at ngayon nga nagkaroon ng dahi­lan ng mag-issue ng apat na issu­ances,” he added.

Trillanes recently posted bail for his temporary freedom after a Makati court ordered his arrest and hold departure order for a rebellion complaint. The opposition sena­tor has cried foul over the alleged government harassment, claiming Duterte has been obsessed with pinning him down.

The Department of Justice ear­lier filed a motion for the arrest of Trillanes before the Makati Re­gional Trial Court branch 150 af­ter his amnesty has been nullified by President Duterte for failure to meet certain requirements. An­other motion is pending before the Makati RTC branch 148 handling the coup charges against Trillanes, a non-bailable offense.

Roque maintained that the Presi­dent respects the court decision and so should Trillanes.

“Ang desisyon po ay ginawa po ng Regional Trial Court, iyan po ang desisyon ng hukuman at hindi po desisyon ng Presidente,” he said in another radio interview.

On the reason behind the gov­ernment’s pursuit of cases against Trillanes, Roque explained that the former rebel soldier was the ring­leader behind two failed military uprisings and must be held liable for these offenses.

He said Trillanes was merely given amnesty before because he was a “crony” of former President Benigno Aquino III.

“Siya po ang kinikilalang lider ng Magdalo siguro sapat na basehan na iyon para magsilbing leksyon na hindi pupuwede po na basta-bas­ta na lang, palibhasa malakas sa Presidente noon, ay babalewalain na iyong sinasabing na batas na mga requirements para magkaroon ng amnesty,” he said.

On Trillanes’ pronouncement he would not stop criticizing the gov­ernment, Roque said the Palace did not expect otherwise.

“Never po naming inisip na siya ay titigil. Ang sa amin lang po ay may ginawa noong nakaraan, ki­nakailangan may pananagutan, harapin ang pananagutan,” he said.