Trillanes presents proof he applied for amnesty
Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented proof that belies allegations he had not applied for amnesty and had not admitted guilt for his involvement in various uprisings.
His alleged non-filing of application for amnesty and non-admission of guilt were used as bases for President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation revoking the amnesty granted to him by then President Benigno Aquino III.
READ: Duterte revokes Trillanes amnesty, orders his arrest
Taking the floor on Tuesday, Trillanes presented a news report, which showed that he made a personal appearance when he applied for amnesty.
In the video, the senator could be heard explaining that there was a general admission of guilt in the application form.
“We are man enough to admit that we have broken rules in the pursuit of our moral cause and we faced it,” Trillanes said in the video.
The senator also presented various media reports about him applying for amnesty and agreeing to “general admission of guilt.”
READ: Trillanes, 18 other rebel soldiers applied for amnesty — news clipping
READ: DND approved Trillanes amnesty — news clipping
He also cited the dismissal of cases filed against him.
“So ano ngayon ang basis kung bakit ako aarestuhin (So what is the basis why they are going to arrest me)?” Trillanes asked.
Duterte’s proclamation also included the order for the military and the police to “lawfully” arrest him.
“Lawful, meaning kelangan mo ng (you need) warrant of arrest. Sa warrant of arrest, nakagalay dun ang krimen (The warrant of arrest specifies the crime committed),” he pointed out.
“Kaso kung aarestuhin nila ako ngayon dto, papaano ako ngayon? Kanino ako magpyapyansa? Anong Korte? Ano yung krimen (So if they arrest me now, where should I apply for bail, in what court, and for what crime?” he added.
“Ito yung pinakamalaking kalokohan na ginawa ni Duterte ngayong araw na ito dahil may mas malalaki before that…(This is the biggest bullshit that Duterte has ever done today, because there were even bigger issues before that),” he further said.
READ: ‘Kalokohan’ – Trillanes on Duterte amnesty revocation
While Trillanes acknowledged that his fellow senators may have different opinions in politics, he urged his colleagues to stand up on any attack against the institution.
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank the Senate leadership under Senate President (Tito) Sotto for protecting the institution,” he said.
“I’m not asking for anything more than that,” said the senator. /ee
