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Inter-Parliamentary Union to probe admin’s cases vs. De Lima, Trillanes


The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a Geneva-based organization of national parliaments, on Sunday voiced its concern over the government's cases against Senators Leila De Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV, and said that it plans to send a mission to the country.

Human rights mission for De Lima

In its resolution on De Lima, the IPU noted that the detained senator has been "subjected to widespread intimidation and denigration, including by President [Rodrigo] Duterte directly."

 

 

The IPU also called for De Lima's release.

"The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union reiterates its call on the relevant authorities to release Senator de Lima immediately and to abandon the legal proceedings against her, given that no serious evidence appears to be forthcoming," it said.

The union also said that an urgent follow-up visit by its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians is needed in De Lima's case.

"The [IPU] maintains its decision, should charges not be dropped, to send an observer to monitor and report on respect for fair trial standards in the case before Branch 206 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Muntinlupa City, and the case before Branch 205 of the RTC, should hearings start in that case as well," it said.

Trillanes 'targeted'

Meanwhile, the revocation of Trillanes' amnesty and the subsequent resurrection of rebellion and coup d’etat charges against him has also perturbed the IPU.

"The [IPU] is deeply concerned that...Senator Trillanes may soon be arrested," it said, adding that it "fears that the sudden questioning of his amnesty, seven years after the amnesty procedure was properly completed, and the exclusive preoccupation of President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 with Senator Trillanes’ situation, when many other individuals were likewise amnestied in connection with the same events, give serious weight to the allegation that this is a targeted attempt to silence Senator Trillanes."

Duterte in August signed the proclamation to revoke the amnesty extended to Trillanes, alleging that the senator did not comply with the "minimum requirements to qualify under the amnesty proclamation."

The organization implored the relevant authorities to give them detailed information on the factual and legal grounds justifying the proclamation.

The IPU has also selected a trial observer to closely monitor legal proceedings related to Trillanes' case regarding its compliance with international fair trial guarantees.

Furthermore, the IPU invoked the Senate to take appropriate measures.

"The Senate has a special responsibility to help ensure that its colleagues participate in its deliberations and speak out when they face reprisals for their work,” it said. 

No response from gov't

The IPU also expressed dismay over the absence of a reply from the Duterte administration over the aforementioned issues.

“The Filipino parliamentary authorities have not responded to IPU requests for information and to its concerns,” it pointed out.

It added that the Filipino delegation to the 139th IPU Assembly chose not to respond to a request for a meeting.

The 139th IPU Assembly was conducted in Geneva, Switzerland last week. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News

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