No extreme urgency yet to seek relief from SC–Trillanes camp

Atty. Reynaldo Robles, legal counsel of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s legal team has deferred the plan of seeking relief with the Supreme Court (SC), saying there was no “extreme urgency” for it yet.

It was Trillanes who said Wednsday that they would file a petition before the SC amid reports that the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 might issue a resolution anytime on the coup d’ etat case against him.

But his chief legal counsel, Atty. Reynaldo Robles, said there was no urgency yet at this point to seek relief from the high tribunal.

“Yung sa (Branch) 150, since we we’re able to post bail, there is actually no urgency for us to file with the Supreme Court,” Robles told reporters at the Senate on Thursday.

“Nire-review pa namin yung resolution and we might decide to file a motion for resolution instead sa Branch 150. Since nakapagpost na ng bail si senator, walang extreme urgency for us to seek relief from Supreme Court,” he pointed out.

The lawyer  was referring  to  the Makati RTC Branch 150  that ordered Trillanes’ arrest for the case of  rebellion in connection  with the  2007 Manila Peninsula siege. After posting P200,000 bail, the court granted the senator’s temporary liberty.

But the court, which is handling the non-bailable coup d’ etat case against the senator,  is also reportedly due to come up with its resolution.

Robles said  it would be a different issue if the court decides to  order his arrest for coup d ‘etat case.

“If we feel that there is grave abuse of discretion, we might consider elevating the case,”  he said.

The lawyer  explained that there is already a pending case at the SC, questioning the legality and constitutionality of Proclamation 572 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In the proclamation, Duterte revoked Trillanes’ amnesty granted by the previous administration and ordered him arrested.

“What’s our business bringing another case before the Supreme Court samantalang may pending case na on the legality and constitutionality (of the proclamation),” Robles said.

Senator Francis Escudero earlier urged the SC to either act  on the  petition against the proclamation or issue a temporary restraining order. 

READ: Escudero urges SC: Act on Trillanes petition now

/jpv