Uson: Trillanes just proved he has guts

MANILA (UPDATE) - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday filed charges of libel, graft and ethics violations against Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson at the Office of the Ombudsman for accusing him of hiding ill-gotten wealth in several bank accounts.

Among the administration's most vocal critics, Trillanes filed 3 libel cases against Uson for alleged violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

"The era of fake news is over. Lahat ng magkakalat ng fake news ay mananagot sa batas," Trillanes said.

Uson, an entertainer appointed to a Palace post in May, had uploaded a video on her widely followed Facebook page enumerating supposed multimillion bank accounts owned by Trillanes.

Earlier this week, Trillanes flew to Singapore to prove that the bank account he allegedly maintained in the city-state does not exist.

Hours later, President Rodrigo Duterte, who also accused Trillanes of owning offshore bank accounts, said he just "invented" the account number to catch the lawmaker.

Trillanes said he is also planning to file cases against broadcaster Erwin Tulfo and a certain Ben Tersiorna of the website
Davao Breaking News for also posting the fake bank accounts.

The lawmaker also filed graft charges against Uson for allegedly using her position to propagate false information.

She had earlier drawn flak for incorrect posts on her popular blog, including using a photo of the Honduran police in calling for prayers for troops fighting in Marawi City. She then explained that she used the photo as "symbolism."

"As a responsible senior government official, mas mataas ang standards natin, dapat vine-verify ang truthfulness ng information bago mag-share," Trillanes said.

The senator also charged Uson for allegedly violating the code of ethics for continuing to perform in shows despite her public position.

Malacañang earlier ordered an investigation after social media posts surfaced showing Uson performing at a casino in violation of a government ban.

• READ:Mocha Uson under fire for performing at casino hotel

"Kumuha ka na ng abugado mong magaling at mabibigat ang mga kasong ito," Trillanes said, addressing Uson.

Asked for comment, Uson, currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, said Trillanes only proved that he has guts.

"Congratulations sir at pinatunayan niyo na kayo ay may b***g kayo. Antayin ko 'yang kaso niyo. Pakibilisan lang po Senator Trillanes, huwag kang puro pa-presscon. Salamat po," she said.

-- With reports from Adrian Ayalin and Don Tagala, ABS-CBN News.