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.
