Duterte’s move vs critics to embolden opposition -- Leni

QUEZON CITY --- Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday said the Duterte administration’s move to silence its critics would only strengthen the opposition as she throws her support behind embattled Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. “Kapag sinusubukan na isilensyo iyong mga kumokontra, hindi po iyon epektibo kasi lalo naming papaigtingin iyong aming mga boses, lalo kaming magkakaisa para siguraduhin lang na iyong boses, hindi lang namin pero iyong boses ng ordinaryong Pilipino, ay napapaabot,” Robredo told reporters in Zamboanga City. “Sinabi namin kay Senator Trillanes na alam namin na hindi ito tama. Nakikiisa kami sa kanya. Basta sa tama, parati tayong nakikiisa at gagawin natin iyong lahat para hindi patuloy iyong ganitong uri ng pagpapahirap para lang isilensyo iyong ating mga gustong sabihin,” she added. Robredo had earlier said the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty by President Rodrigo Duterte was meant to divert the public’s attention from issues such as price increases of basic commodities, the rice shortage in some areas of the country, the weakening economy, the traffic problem and corruption. Duterte signed Proclamation No. 572 on August 31 revoking the amnesty granted to Trillanes, saying the opposition lawmaker did not comply with the “minimum requirements to qualify under the amnesty proclamation.” Trillanes, a fierce critic of Duterte and his policies, said he would question the proclamation before the Supreme Court. He is presently under the custody of Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano had given Trillanes five days to comment on the Department of Justice’s motion seeking his arrest following the revocation of his amnesty. The hearing was set on September 13. Trillanes can file his comment through his legal counsel. Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News