Poe confident Trillanes can defend himself in rebellion case

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday expressed confidence that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV could defend himself in the revived rebellion case he is now facing.

“Para sa akin, ako’y kumpyansa na madedepensahan naman ni Senator Trillanes ang kanyang kaso kasi ‘di ba, ito ang nakakalito sa akin, ang isang amnesty kasi ay dumaan sa Senado at sa Kongreso at ito ay naaprubahan,” Poe said in a statement.

(For me, I am confident that Senator Trillanes can defend his case because this is what bothers me. The amnesty went through Senate and Congress and it was approved.)

Poe added if the amnesty granted to Trillanes will be questioned, other amnesties which have been granted in the past could also be put in question.

“Hindi lang naman siya ang nabigyan ng amnesty, marami ang nabigyan ng amnesty. So kung kukwestiyunin ‘yung kanya, lahat ‘yun malalagay sa peligro at mawawalan ng bisa ang amnestiya na ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga darating na panahon,” she said.

(It is not only Trillanes who was given the amnesty, others were also given amnesty. So if his amnesty will be questioned, all other amnesties will be in danger and amnesty filed by the government in the future will be ineffective.)

Poe said Trillanes could resume his duties at the Senate after postinh bail at the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“Sa ngayon, ang pampalubag-loob nga ay makakapagpiyansa siya at siguro kung makapagpiyansa siya mas malaya siyang makakapasok dito,” Poe said.

(For now, it is relieving that he was able to post bail and if he could do that he is free to enter the Senate.)  /muf