DOJ to Makati court: Trillanes’ evidence ‘self-serving’

In a bid to secure an alias warrant and a hold departure order against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has told the Makati Regional Trial Court that the evidence presented by the opposition senator is “self-serving and deserves scant consideration.”

In the DOJ’s 10-page additional pleadings filed before the Makati RTC Branch 150 on Tuesday, prosecutors reiterated that Trillanes refused to admit guilt and criminal culpability when he applied for the amnesty program in 2011.

The state prosecutors also pointed to the senator’s failure to submit a copy of his application form properly received by the Department of National Defense (DND) before the court.

“As aptly pointed out by this Honorable Court during the motion hearing, the best evidence that accused could submit to prove his claim is a copy of his application form bearing the receiving mark/stamp of the DND. This, the accused failed to do,” the DOJ said.

Trillanes earlier submitted to the Makati court reports and videos of him applying for the amnesty program in 2011.

READ: Trillanes presents proof he applied for amnesty

DOJ’s pleading was signed by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, and Assistant State Prosecutors Mary Jane Sytat, Josie Christina Dugay, and Evee Eunice De Keyser.

The Makati RTC Branch 150 on Friday deferred the decision on whether it will issue a warrant for the arrest of Trillanes, whose amnesty for leading uprisings against the Arroyo administration has been declared void ab initio by President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 572 on August 31.

READ: Duterte revokes Trillanes amnesty, orders his arrest

The senator will have five days from the time the DOJ files its reply to file a rejoinder.

The DOJ had also sought the revival of the rebellion case against Trillanes that the Makati RTC Branch 150 dismissed in September 2011. /ee