Former Senator Antonio Trillanes was again on the offensive, slamming Senator Bam Aquino and former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo over their stance against involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) in holding former President Rodrigo Duterte accountable for alleged crimes against humanity.
Trillanes has again criticized Robredo, following an earlier statement condemning her for welcoming Vice President Sara Duterte into her home in Naga City in 2024.
“During the course of the campaign, they said their position on the ICC was that they would not recognize its jurisdiction and that they would not surrender Digong to the ICC if Leni became president,” Trillanes told One News’ “Storycon”.
Trillanes said he could not support either Aquino or Robredo in the 2028 presidential election, choosing instead to place his trust in Senator Risa Hontiveros, whom he called the strongest and most qualified opposition candidate for president.
Trillanes believes Hontiveros is the only one capable of holding Duterte accountable for her actions.
“Anyway, 2028 na ngayon, kailangang manalo iyong kandidato iyong kandidato na may balls, ano figuratively, na mapanagot itong mga Duterte na ito. Ang nakikita ko kasi, sa ngayon is Senator Risa Hontiveros.” Trillanes said.
Trillanes also insisted that Robredo and Vice President Sara Duterte are close friends and allies.
“Kaibigan niya si Sara Duterte. Remember, pinapasok nga niya sa bahay niya, hinost niya doon. So papaano mo ngayon mapapanagot si Sara kung magpi-presidente si Leni,” Trillanes said.
As for Aquino, Trillanes alleged that the senator had asked him to delay the release of an arrest warrant against Duterte, insisting that it would negatively affect Robredo’s presidential campaign.
He also pointed to Aquino’s decision to join the Senate majority bloc as further evidence of the senator’s political alliance with Duterte allies.
“Si Senator Bam Aquino for example, kasi bakit, ngayon nga, ka-caucus niya, ka-bloc niya iyong mga Duterte bloc. Sa akin hindi ko kaya iyon under any conditions. Gusto ko man nung komite, hindi kaya nung sikmura kong makasama ko sa caucus iyong mga Duterte bloc,” Trillanes said in a separate interview.