Trillanes fails to get relief from SC

The Supreme Court denied Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s bid to stop the implementation of Proclamation 572.

“The Court resolved to deny petitioner Senator Trillanes’ prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order,” acting SC Spokesperson Atty. Gleo Guerra said in a press conference.

The high court holds as a guarantee the assurance of President Rodrigo Duterte that Trillanes will not be arrested unless an arrest warrant has been issued by the trial court.

“The Court takes judicial notice of the categorical pronouncement of President Duterte that Senator Trillanes will not be apprehended, detained or taken into custody unless a warrant of arrest has been issued by the trial court,” Guerra said, quoting the high court’s ruling.

“Thus, there is no extreme and urgent necessity for the Court to issue an injunctive relief considering that the respondents have acknowledged Senator Trillanes’ right to due process,” the high court added.

The high court added that the question of whether Trillanes has complied with the requirements to qualify for an amnesty or not is factual in nature, it will be best that the “Makati RTCs (Regional Trial Courts) be given leeway in exercising their concurrent jurisdiction to hear and resolve the pleadings/motions filed by the parties as regards the legality of Proclamation 572.”

The Makati RTC Branch 148 handles the coup d’etat case against Trillanes and other Magdalo soldiers for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny while the Makati RTC Branch 150 is handling the rebellion case for the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Meanwhile, the high court ordered respondents, through Solicitor General Jose Calida to submit a comment within 10 days.   /vvp