Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has asked people to refrain from voicing their opinions on the revocation of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty, as the case is already pending with the Supreme Court (SC).
“I respectfully ask everyone to please stop commenting on these issues already dahil nasa Supreme Court na ‘yan, ipagkatiwala na lang natin sa Supreme Court ‘yong pagresolve dyan sa issues na ‘yan,” Guevara said in an ambush interview on Friday.
“Mako-contempt of court tayong lahat if we continue to discuss this matter, these legal issues which are already pending before the Supreme Court,” he noted.
According to the justice secretary, there is no problem with comments, provided that the people making them have seen the pieces of evidence personally.
“I don’t mind people bashing me for what I have said publicly, that’s okay, that’s part of free speech. Ang hinihiling ko lang, sana bago magsalita ang ibang tao, ay meron silang matibay na pinagbabasihan, nakita nila ‘yong documents, bago sila nagkukumento,” he added.
Guevarra, who was the guest speaker of the anniversary celebration of the National Police Commission, was also asked if SC would be fair to Trillanes, amid allegations that the high tribunal is loyal to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We’ll have to believe in the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court. So we’ll find that out, he (Trillanes) will be given his day in court naturally. He has filed his petition, so I’m sure that the government will be required to comment on the petition,” he said.
“We don’t know exactly what the Supreme Court may do about it, I don’t want to comment any further dahil nasa kanila na nga ‘yon,” he reiterated.
On Tuesday, Malacañang released Proclamation 572, revoking the amnesty given by former President Benigno Aquino III to Trillanes, based on an alleged lack of requirements such as the application for pardon and admission of guilt.
Trillanes has reiterated that he has complied with both, using media footage of him submitting documents and taking an oath before a committee in Congress as evidence. His camp has submitted a petition to SC, asking for a temporary restraining order on the revocation of his amnesty and impending arrest. /vvp
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