Ex-Makati vice mayor posts bail in libel case

Former Makati vice mayor Bobby Brillante surrendered and posted bail at P6,000 before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday in connection with the libel complaint filed by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Brillante has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Makati RTC Branch 62 Judge Selma Palacio Alaras in connection with the P10-million libel suit filed by Binay against Brillante.

Alaras originally set Brillante’s bail at P12,000 but later granted Brillante’s motion to bring it down.

"I avail of the voluntary surrender because we were alarmed that I have a warrant and they might use it for other illegitimate purposes. I submit myself to the proper authority. I posted bail because there were policemen who went to my house last Friday to serve the warrant for my arrest. In light offenses, like libel, it is illegal to arrest the accused during Fridays because the court will not be available for the accused to post bail," Brillante said.

Alaras has set Brillante’s arraignment on March 26.

"We find the filing of the case ridiculous. We will question that in court. I have been filing graft cases against Binay and he is also filing libel cases against me. I think this is the 11th libel case that Mayor Binay has filed against me," Brillante said.

The case filed by Binay against Brillante stemmed from his allegations that Binay had bribed the justices of the Sandiganbayan in exchange for the dismissal of the graft case that Brillante filed against Binay for the mayor’s alleged involvement in the overpriced purchase of furniture for the city hall.

In a statement, Makati City information chief Joey Salgado said Brillante was merely digging his own grave for making more libelous statements against Binay, the city prosecutors and members of the judiciary in his bid to defend himself.

"Mr. Roberto Brillante chooses to defend himself from a libel case by making more libelous statements against Mayor Binay, city prosecutors and members of the judiciary. Mr. Brillante needs to be reminded that the case was brought about by the libelous statements he made in a press conference last year against the Mayor and the justices of the Sandiganbayan," Salgado said.

Salgado cited that after being threatened with contempt by the Sandiganbayan, Brillante feigned innocence and claimed that he was misquoted by the media.

"And now, after blaming the media for his troubles, he once again comes to media with a press statement that pictures him as a helpless victim," Salgado said.

Binay’s political adviser, Lito Anzure, lashed out at Brillante for claiming the libel complaint was meant to harass him.

"He is crying political repression and harassment once charged with libel for making libelous statements. This guy (Brillante) has been twice convicted of libel. This is the same person who started to badmouth the Sandiganbayan justices that Binay allegedly paid off. Given the track record of this person who has the propensity to cry foul, political repression and harassment, who then will believe him," Anzures said.