MANILA – Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV will question before the Supreme Court the validity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation voiding his amnesty.
He will seek a temporary restraining order against Proclamation 572.
“Basura ang proclamation na ito. … This goes beyond the political lines,” Trillanes told a news conference at the Senate on Wednesday.
In the proclamation he signed on Aug. 31, Duterte claimed Trillanes did not comply with the “minimum requirements to qualify under the amnesty program.”
Duterte also ordered the arrest of Trillanes “so that he can be recommitted to the detention facility where he had been incarcerated for him to stand trial for crimes he is charged with.”
Trillanes participated in coup attempts during the Arroyo administration but was granted amnesty in 2010 by then President Benigno Aquino III.
“Unconditional iyong amnesty. There is no clause. Prerogative ng magbibigay ng amnesty iyan. Noong time ni President Aquino, sinabi na general admission of guilt is enough kaya na-grant iyong amnesty,” said Trillanes.
He also denied that he did not file an application for amnesty and did not admit his guilt for his role in the attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government when he was still a Philippine Navy officer.
“Ang basis ng presidential proclamation ni Duterte ay isang malaking kapalpakan at kasinungalingan,” Trillanes said. “Iyong sinasabi na hindi ako nag-admit ng guilt, maliwanag na nandoon iyon. It was reported even by the media.”
“I have already presented proof. Kung nasabi ninyong nawala ninyo, papaano ninyo nasabi na hindi ko nagawa ang kailangan kong gawin? It boggles my mind gaano ka-incompetent ang mga taong ito,” he added.
He also presented to the press copies of court decisions stating that the rebellion and coup charges filed against him were dismissed in 2011.
“Ang presidential proclamation ay hindi warrant of arrest. Kung aarestuhin ako, ano ang kaso? Saang korte ako dudulog e dinismiss na ang kaso ko?” he said. “Mang-iipit lang kayo palpak pa. They never questioned the basis for the dismissal of my cases. They have 15 days to file a motion then. It is final and executory.”
Supreme Court justices should be alarmed – the proclamation shows that Duterte is also exercising legislative and judicial powers – Trillanes said.
“Iyong warrant of arrest, pagka in-affirm nila iyong presidential declaration, pwede nang mag-issue ng warrantless arrest iyong Presidente,” he said./PN
