Hontiveros condemns arrest order vs Trillanes

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros slammed on Tuesday the issuance of an arrest warrant against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, saying that it  is “a black eye for democracy and rule of law” because the courts gave in to the whims of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The lawmaker said in a statement that the issuance of the warrant is part of the Duterte administration’s attempt to intimidate political critics.

“The issuance of the warrant is part of the government’s attempt to intimidate political critics and a looming crackdown on the opposition,” Hontiveros said.

She said this shows that the president’s “incompetence and lack of strong leadership.”

“He wastes his time and energy, as well as precious government resources, on trying to obliterate the democratic opposition. He intimidates and terrorizes people, particularly his critics, to compensate for his incapacity to govern,” Hontiveros said.

She emphasized that dissent under Duterte administration is the “highest form of patriotism” and urged Filipinos to amplify the voice of dissent and reason in defending democracy.

“As we defend democracy, we need to further amplify the voice of dissent and reason. Dissent, under President Duterte’s despotic rule, is the highest form of patriotism,” she said.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 issued the arrest warrant against Trillanes in relation with his involvement in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. /ee

READ: Arrest Trillanes – Makati court