Ex-Philippine President Duterte Faces Criminal Complaint by Former Senator

Former Philippine opposition senator Antonio Trillares IV has accused ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and his aide of plundering state funds by awarding government contracts to cronies. The complaint, filed with the Department of Justice, adds to Duterte's legal issues, which also include an ICC investigation for alleged crimes against humanity.

In a dramatic escalation of legal challenges, former Philippine opposition senator Antonio Trillares IV on Friday filed a criminal complaint against ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, alleging a massive plundering operation centered on government infrastructure contracts.

Trillares claims that Duterte, conspiring with aide-turned-senator Christopher Lawrence Go, funneled millions to family-linked companies. The Department of Justice in Manila will investigate the allegations, compounding Duterte's existing legal woes, including an International Criminal Court probe into alleged crimes against humanity during his infamous drug crackdown.

Trillares detailed that from 2007-2018, two companies tied to Go's father and brother secured contracts worth 6.6 billion pesos ($114 million) in Davao, Duterte’s former mayoral city. Neither Duterte nor Go has commented on these fresh allegations, which both have previously denied.