Indictment a chance for Trillanes, et al, to prove innocence —Palace

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other persons accused by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of involvement in the alleged attempt to overthrow President Rodrigo Duterte should take the opportunity to assert their innocence.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo gave the statement on Tuesday after the DOJ found basis to charge Trillanes and 10 others in court for conspiracy to commit sedition.

“They have the opportunity to defend themselves. Again, the President says, let the law takes its course. There are remedies available to them; they should avail of them,” Panelo said at a news conference in Malacañang.

The charges stemmed from allegations by Peter Joemel Advincula, alias "Bikoy," that Trillanes and some supporters of the opposition were involved in "Project Sodoma," an alleged plot to unseat Duterte and install Vice President Leni Robredo in his place. It was Advincula who had linked members of the Duterte family to illegal drugs ahead of the 2019 midterm elections.

According to the DOJ, Robredo, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, former Senator Bam Aquino, members of the Otso Diretso senatorial slate, lawyers, and some Catholic bishops would not be prosecuted for lack of probable cause.

The Vice President welcomed the development on Monday and said that the DOJ’s decision confirmed that the allegation against her was based on lies and politicking.

“Those investigating prosecutors know their task – to find probable cause. If the evidence presented to them does not show there is, then they have no other alternative but to dismiss the case,” Panelo said.

“We never engage with politics.” —NB, GMA News