Makati RTC judge hears Trillanes motion for withdrawal of arrest warrant

A Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) will hear on Friday the motion of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV asking the court to overturn its Sept. 25 ruling that ordered his arrest for being “tantamount to a total and complete surrender of the judiciary’s independence.”

In the ruling, Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order against Trillanes for his role in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Alameda had previously dismissed the rebellion charges against Trillanes after the senator was granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

But the judge reopened the case based on President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572, which voided the amnesty because of Trillanes’ failure to apply for it and admit guilt.

Alameda cited the absence of the original copy of Trillanes’ amnesty application in his ruling.

In his motion, Trillanes described the judge’s arrest order as equivalent to “giving the President the license or the power to reverse and/or set aside any court decision at any time he pleases, years or even decades after the same [has] been rendered.”

Trillanes, who was allowed to post a P200,000 bail, said the ruling had “dangerous” implications on “our judicial and legal system.” —MATTHEW REYSIO-CRUZ