MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday urged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to allow the legal process to take its course after the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order (HDO) against the Navy officer-turned-lawmaker.
“The court has spoken. Let us stop the drama by presscon and allow the legal process to take its course,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“Whatever Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has to say can be addressed to the court,” he added.
Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda issued Trillanes’ arrest order and HDO upon request of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
On Sept. 7, the DOJ prosecutors filed Omnibus Motion for the issuance of warrant of arrest and HDO after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572 on Aug. 31 declaring void ab initio (from the beginning) the amnesty granted by the previous administration to Trillanes.
Duterte cited Trillanes’ failure to comply with mandatory requirements, such as the amnesty application form and admission of guilt to the crimes of rebellion he committed when he led the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 and Manila Peninsula siege in 2007 against former president and now House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In his proclamation, Duterte ordered the military and police “to employ all lawful means” to arrest Trillanes, prompting the former Navy officer to seek refuge in the Senate.
Trillanes asked for temporary restraining order against Proclamation 572 but the Supreme Court (SC) turned it down.
Despite the SC’s verdict, Duterte still opted to wait for the Makati RTC’s decision on the DOJ prosecutors’ motion.
Roque said he hopes Trillanes would equally respect the court and prove his innocence.
“As the President has said, we will respect the decision of the judiciary,” he said.
The Makati court has allowed Trillanes to post a PHP200,000 bail for his temporary liberty. (PNA)
