Senator Antonio Trillanes IV could not find his copy of the amnesty application form he filed, his lawyer, Atty. Reynaldo Robles, admitted before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150.
During Friday’s hearing, Makati RTC Judge Elmo Alameda asked Robles for Trillanes’ copy of the application form as proof that he has complied with the basic requirements for an amnesty.
“The court needs the actual application,” Judge Alameda said.
“He cannot find his copy,” Robles admitted.
“The court is not after secondary evidence,” Judge Alameda responded.
The Makati RTC Branch 150 is handling the rebellion case against Trillanes and the other Magdalo soldiers for the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.
Robles, in an ambush interview, told reporters that they are still trying to locate Trillanes’ application form.
During the hearing, Robles presented as evidence a video footage of the actual filing of application form before a certain Col. Josefa Berbigal.
However, Judge Alameda said the video is not authenticated.
Robles then assured the court that they will present additional proof to authenticate their evidence.
He also presented Trillanes’ amnesty certificate, photos of the Senator holding a copy of his application form published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the memorandum to the Department of National Defense Ad Hoc Committee.
Robles also mentioned that they will also secure an affidavit from Berbigal, the one who received Trillanes’ application form.
Meanwhile, the court also asked the prosecution about its proof that Trillanes failed to comply with the amnesty requirements.
A certification from a certain Lt. Col. Thea Joan Andrade noted that there is no available copy of Trillanes’ application form.
This prompted Judge Alameda to ask the DOJ prosecutors: “That is your basis in concluding that court’s dismissal is void?”
DOJ prosecutors, led by acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon and Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, maintained that because of Proclamation 572 revoking Trillanes’ amnesty, the court’s dismissal of the rebellion case seven years ago is void.
Aside from the certification from Andrade, the prosecutors have also submitted as evidence news articles showing that Trillanes did not admit guilt even after he was granted amnesty.
Fadullon said they will submit more evidence to support their case in the next hearing. /vvp