Palace: Law catching up with Trillanes

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (Photo from philstar.com)

Malacañang yesterday welcomed the decision of a Makati court dismissing the motion of reconsideration of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, saying the law is “now catching up on him.”

“The Palace respects this decision of the trial court in finding sufficient grounds to deny Senator Trillanes’ motion for reconsideration,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement Tuesday.

“It should dawn on the departing senator and to others who are prone to challenge the majesty of the law that it is no respecter of anyone regardless of the political and social status of the violator,” he added.

Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 on Monday rejected the former mutineer’s plea to reverse the issuance of a warrant against him. In a resolution, Alameda upheld his 25 September 2018 decision ordering the arrest of Trillanes who was charged with rebellion.

In the same resolution, Alameda said Trillanes failed to prove he complied with the requirements for his amnesty such as the admission of guilt and submission of application form.

The ruling came as Trillanes is enjoying temporary freedom after posting a bail of P200,000.

“While currently at liberty after posting bail, Senator Trillanes must still come to grips with the criminal transgressions he committed as an ingrate and renegade military officer. He may have succeeded in evading his accountability before the law, but the law is now catching up on him,” Panelo said.

He added that Trillanes has only himself to blame for the legal obstacles he is faced and warned that the senator’s predicament should “strike fear in the hearts” of others seeking to topple President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration.

“What’s happening to him should strike fear in the hearts of those who, after being financed by the taxpayers’ money for their education, will plot against the government that nurtured them, as well as those who use their political power to shield them from accountability as they malign and sow intrigues against persons they dislike, even inciting the citizenry to hate duly constituted authorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the camp of Trillanes said they are considering to elevate their case to higher court.

“Needless to state, we will consider the possibility of appealing or questioning the ruling before the higher courts,” Atty. Reynaldo Robles, counsel for Trillanes, said although he refused to comment on the ruling. He said they have yet to secure a copy of Judge Alameda’s decision.

Trillanes was charged with rebellion along with other Magdalo soldiers before the sala of Judge Alameda in connection with the 2007 standoff at the Manila Peninsula.

He is also facing other cases, including the charge of inciting to sedition before the Pasay RTC and libel at the Davao City RTC.