Flowers with one-word statements were reportedly left outside the sala of Makati RTC Judge Andres Soriano in what Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra believes was an attempt to influence the decision on the coup d’etat case of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. INQUIRER.NET / TETCH TORRES-TUPAS
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in Monday warned supporters of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that they can be held in contempt of court leaving flowers outside Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148.
Makati RTC Branch 148 is handling the coup d’etat case against Trillanes and has yet to rule on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to reopen the case and order the senator’s arrest.
Flowers were accompanied by messages such as “fortitude,” “legacy” and “justice.”
“That’s exactly the kind of pressure that has been exerted upon Judge [Andres] Soriano. Some people have made it appear that any ruling against Sen. Trillanes will be a deathblow to democracy and the rule of law,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.
“Even a first-year law student will tell you that such acts tending to influence the decision of the judge are a clear and punishable case of contempt of court,” Guevarra said.
Over the weekend, Guevarra denied the allegation of Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano that the government was pressuring the court to rule against Trillanes.
READ: Gov’t denies pressure on court to rule vs Trillanes
After President Rodrigo Duterte revoked the amnesty given to Trillanes, the DOJ immediately sought the reopening of the coup d’etat and rebellion cases pending in two Makati courts.
Makati RTC Branch 150 has already issued a warrant of arrest for the senator but allowed him to post bail while Branch 148 has yet to rule on the matter. /cbb
Flowers with one-word statements were reportedly left outside the sala of Makati RTC Judge Andres Soriano in what Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra believes was an attempt to influence the decision on the coup d’etat case of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. INQUIRER.NET / TETCH TORRES-TUPAS