MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has accused Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano of acting arbitrarily in dismissing the bid of the government to reopen the coup d’ etat case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
In a petition dated Jan. 17, 2019, the OSG, thru Solicitor General Jose Calida maintained that there was basis in ordering the arrest of the senator since no one, not even Trillanes, could produce the original copy of the signed application form with admission of guilt.
“Trillanes himself does not have a copy of his own amnesty application form,” said Calida.
The lead government counsel pointed out that without the original copy, it cannot be concluded that the senator has complied with the requirements in order to be entitled to an amnesty.
Trillanes’ coup d’ etat case was dismissed in 2011 after he was granted amnesty by then President Benigno C. Aquino III.
It was revoked, however, by another Proclamation issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The OSG is representing the Department of Justice (DOJ) which handled the case before the lower court.
The case was taken elevated to the Court of Appeals after the Makati RTC denied the government’s partial motion for reconsideration. / gsg
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