Claim: Former president Rodrigo Duterte has filed a “1 billion libel case” against former senator Antonio Trillanes IV following the latter’s allegations that drug-related funds were funneled into the Duterte family bank accounts.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video bearing the claim was posted on November 16 by an account with 74,600 followers. As of writing, the video has 61,300 views 2,534 likes, and 198 comments.
Text on the video reads: “Trillanes kinasuhan, 1 billion libel case (Trillanes charged in 1 billion libel case).”
The video did not clarify whether the “1 billion” refers to the number of cases or the peso amount in damages that Duterte is allegedly suing Trillanes for.
The TikTok video was posted after Trillanes revived his allegations against the Dutertes following the former president’s appearance at the House quad committee probe on the drug war killings during his administration.
The bottom line: Duterte has only said that he wanted to sue Trillanes, but he has not yet filed the libel complaint as of writing.
The misleading video only exaggerated statements that Duterte made during his appearance on the November 14 livestream of his former spokesman, Salvador Panelo. During the live video, Duterte called to consult Panelo about filing libel cases against his staunch critic. The former president said somebody should “teach him [Trillanes] a lesson in life.”
Nowhere during the live video did Duterte and Panelo talk specifics about the planned libel complaint.
The misleading TikTok video only said, without proof, that there was a public clamor for Duterte to file a “1 billion libel case” over Trillanes’ allegations.
Rappler previously debunked a similar claim that Trillanes was arrested for libel.
Duterte-Trillanes feud: This was not the first time the former president threatened criminal raps against the ex-senator for making allegations of undeclared wealth. In 2016, Duterte threatened to put Trillanes behind bars if the latter’s claims of P200 million allegedly transferred to the Duterte bank accounts were proven false.
Duterte also attempted in 2018 to revoke Trillanes’ amnesty through a proclamation, a move later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Rappler has already published several fact-checks about Duterte and Trillanes:
- FACT CHECK: Trillanes not arrested for libel after House probe clash with Duterte
- FACT CHECK: ICC has imprisoned individuals convicted of grave int’l crimes
- FACT CHECK: Post praising Duterte used ‘quote’ from fictional character Nick Fury
– Kyle Marcelino/Rappler.com
Kyle Marcelino is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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