What’s the rush on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s arrest?
Senator Grace Poe posed this question on Wednesday as Trillanes remains holed up at the Senate, wary that he would be arrested as soon as he leaves the legislative building in Pasay City.
President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572 on August 31, revoking the amnesty granted to Trillanes in 2011 and ordering for the senator’s arrest.
But Poe insisted Trillanes should not be arrested without a court-issued warrant.
“Wala talaga dapat na pag-aresto ng walang warrant at isa pa, bakit mamadaliin? Hindi naman siya banta maski na kanino,” she said in an interview.
She pointed out that the intention of the amnesty granted to Trillanes was there, except that there are now issues being raised against it.
“Kulang na nga kami sa Senado, mababawasan—‘wag naman,” Poe said in jest.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) junked Trillanes’ petition to stop the proclamation against him.
In its ruling, the SC took judicial notice of Duterte’s pronouncements that there will be no arrest of Trillanes unless the court issues a warrant.
Despite the SC’s decision and assurance from the President, Trillanes still opted to stay in the Senate, citing information that he would still be arrested once he steps out of the Senate. /kga