Trillanes believes debate vs Binay a mismatch

MANILA - Senator Antonio Trillanes on Monday said he stands by his allegations that businessman Antonio Tiu is a dummy of Vice President Jejomar Binay despite Tiu slapping him with a P4-million defamation suit.

Trillanes said he firmly believes Binay is the real owner of the 35-hectare land in Rosario, Batangas especially since Tiu has failed to prove ownership of the property.

"There are no signages for an agri-tourism park, no logos, no reception or front desk. Even the layout of the furniture is for a house. Not an agri tourism place," he said in an interview on Mornings@ANC.

"When he met me pa nga, I asked him, 'How did you manage to build such a beautiful place?' He said he accumulated it over time," he added.

He then agreed that Tiu could not have accumulated the structures since he had just recently purchased the property.

"I was set up," he said.

Trillanes said he hopes that Tiu would be able to prove his ownership claims when the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee resumes its probe into the controversy on Thursday.

This is despite having lost one witness who he claims accepted a P10 million bribe from the Binay camp to refuse to testify before the Senate.

Trillanes said more evidence will be presented on Thursday that would further implicate the vice-president to the unexplained wealth.

He also maintained he would face Binay at a debate on November 10 despite a perceived advantage for the vice-president.

"He is a 30-year veteran in politics, and he is a human right lawyer who's presumed to be a master in argumentation and debate. On the other hand, I am a soldier who gives and receives orders. I'm not wired for debate but I believe I am standing from a high moral ground. It's a mismatch."