Ex-Philippine Senator Accuses Duterte of Plundering State Coffers, Vows More Lawsuits

Former Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a criminal complaint against ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing him of plundering state coffers. Trillanes alleged that Duterte conspired with an aide to award government infrastructure contracts worth millions of dollars to cronies.

The complaint, filed with the Department of Justice in Manila, adds to Duterte's legal woes. The International Criminal Court is also investigating him for alleged crimes against humanity related to the widespread killings of suspects during his crackdown on illegal drugs.

Trillanes accused two construction companies, owned by the father and brother of Duterte's longtime aide and now Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, of receiving more than 100 government construction contracts worth at least 6.6 billion pesos ($114 million) from 2007 to 2018 in Davao City. Duterte was mayor and vice mayor of Davao City during that time, and he became president in 2016. Trillanes said neither company had the resources or manpower to handle large-scale infrastructure construction.

Go denied the allegations against him and Duterte. He said he has not seen the complaint but assured everyone that he and his family have not benefitted from his being in government.

Duterte did not immediately comment, but he has previously denied any wrongdoing in office.

Trillanes accused Duterte, Go, and the relatives who owned the two companies of plunder. Under Philippine law, plunder is committed when a government official acquires ill-gotten wealth of 50 million pesos ($862,000) or more from government funds through corrupt acts in combination with family or associates. It is punishable by life in prison. The government can also seize illegally acquired wealth or properties after a final conviction.

Trillanes said Go, "in conspiracy with Mr. Duterte, used his position, authority and influence to corner billions worth of government projects in favor of his father and brother, thus, unduly enriching himself and the members of his immediate family." He added that the former president would face more lawsuits in the future.

Trillanes, an anti-corruption advocate who served as senator from 2007 to 2019, was one of Duterte's most vocal critics. He also initiated a complaint against Duterte over the widespread killings under the former president's deadly campaign against illegal drugs, which sparked a still-ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court.

Government prosecutors will conduct their own investigation before deciding whether to indict Duterte and the others accused. The process could take months or years.