Trillanes says no usurpation of power happened when he applied for amnesty

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday insisted that no usurpation of authority happened when he applied for amnesty during the term of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

According to the opposition senator, it was Aquino who granted him amnesty through a presidential proclamation.

“Si President Aquino ang nagbigay ng amnesty through a proclamation,” Trillanes said in a press conference.

“Doon sa proclamation, mayroong provisions doon na yung Department of National Defense (DND) ang magpa-process ng amnesty applications. Iyon ang ginawa ng [Department of] National Defense,” Trillanes explained.

The senator was referring to Section 2 of Proclamation 75 where Aquino tasked the DND to receive and process the amnesty applications from “active and former personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its supporters.”

When asked to clarify if there was ant usurpation of power, Trillanes said: “Definitely not.”

“Any public document na kinukuha mo, yung designated na pipirma, whether administrative officer yan, basta idinelegate sa kanya yung authority na iyon, sa kanya na yun,” Trillanes said.

Section 2 of Proclamation 75 states: “The concerned AFP and PNP personnel and their supporters may apply for amnesty under this Proclamation with the ad hoc committee Department of National Defense (DND) which is hereby tasked with receiving and processing applications – including oppositions thereto, if any – for amnesty pursuant to this proclamation and determining whether the applicants are entitled to amnesty pursuant to this proclamation.”

“The final decisions or determination of the DND shall be appealable to the Office of the President by any party to the application. The decision, however, shall be immediately executory even if appealed.”

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier claimed that former Defense Secretary Voltaire “Volts” Gazmin is liable for usurpation of authority for recommending and approved the amnesty of Trillanes.   /vvp

READ: Panelo: Case may be filed vs Gazmin over Trillanes’ amnesty mess