Trillanes presents proof vs. basis of Duterte’s revocation of amnesty

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday afternoon presented evidence against President Rodrigo Duterte's basis for revoking the amnesty former President Benigno Aquino III granted the lawmaker in 2010.

In a privilege speech, Trillanes presented video footage of when he sought the amnesty, news articles including that of GMA News Online, a picture of his application form, the certificate of amnesty, and decisions of court dismissing the rebellion and coup d’etat cases filed against him.

“Among the reasons why supposedly the amnesty was revoked was the non-application, that I did not file an official amnesty application form," Trillanes said.

"Then the other one is the non-admission of guilt, it says there that I never expressed my guilt for the crimes that I have committed. These are the facts, I will show this video to debunk the allegations made by Mr. Duterte,” he added.

He said it was clear in an interview then that he admitted his guilt in trying to overthrow the Arroyo administration and that he made the statements under oath.

“Ever since, hindi naman kami nagpanggap na ang ginawa namin na pagpunta sa Oakwood at Peninsula [Hotel in 2007] ay natural na ginagawa ng sundalo. We are man enough to admit that we have broken rules in the pursuit of our moral cause and we face it like men," Trillanes said in the video he presented.

"Nakulong po kami and others were separated from the service so it's very easy for us to admit that,” he added.

He said the committee that went over his amnesty and those of other rebel soldiers gave oppositors 15 days to file their comment but no one did.

“Merong in-allocate na 15 days for anybody to oppose.  Sana itong si Mr. (Solicitor General Jose) Calida at Mr. Duterte e hinabol ‘yun. Pero wala kaya ngayon na-affirm ‘yun. There was a committee who deliberated the application forms for amnesty and it was approved,” Trillanes said.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan nagma-magic itong mga taga-Malacañang but siyempre if they want to get rid of a member of the opposition and stifle them they will go through such great lengths,” he added.

Trillanes said Duterte ordered the Armed Forces and National Police to arrest him lawfully but they could not do so because they did not have any warrant of arrest.

He said there was no information of what his crimes were and in which court will post bail.

“Ano ba ang operative word, lawful,  meaning kailangan ng warrant of arrest.  Sa warrant of arrest nakalagay ang krimen, kung aarestuhin nila ako dito, paano ako ngayon, kanino ako magpapiyansa, anong korte, anong krimen,” Trillanes said.

The senator asked his colleagues not to let the administration destroy the Senate as an institution.

“Ito ang pinakamalaking  kalokohan  na ginawa ni Duterte ngayong araw na ito, dahil may mas malalaki before that,” Trillanes said.

“But I hope maliwanag sa atin, hindi natin ito pwedeng payagan. Maaaring magkakaiba man ang ating opinon sa politika but kapag ganito na institusyon na ang ginigiba,  kailangn nating tindigan,” he added.

He thanked Senate leadership under Senate President Vicente Sotto for protecting the institution but taking him under its custody and to his colleagues who expressed their concern.

“Lalakas ang ating boses kung tayo ay magkakaisa,” he said. —NB, GMA News