Court sources said the case is currently awaiting raffle, a standard procedure to determine which judge will handle the proceedings in Mandaluyong.
The case stems from statements made by Trillanes in 2018, where he raised allegations against Duterte and Carpio that the complainants said were false, malicious, and damaging to their reputation.
Trillanes last appeared before the RTC in Davao City in July 2025, prior to the transfer of venue.
He has maintained that his statements fall under free speech and matters of public interest, and has also claimed that the Dutertes have been attempting to silence critics.
However, observers point to the lengthy duration of the case—now nearing eight years—as contradicting such claims, noting that the prolonged proceedings reflect a functioning judicial process rather than swift suppression.
They argue that if there had been any effort to silence him through undue influence, the case would have been resolved much earlier and potentially to his disadvantage.
With the case now in Mandaluyong, proceedings are expected to resume once a judge is assigned following the raffle.
This week, Trillanes is set to appear before the House Committee on Justice in relation to the impeachment complaint filed against VP Sara Duterte-Carpio.