ShareThisMANILA– A Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) court has deferred the trial of rebellion case against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other soldiers linked to the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege pending Congress’ decision on President Aquino’s amnesty proclamation.
Sen. Trillanes
Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC, Branch 150, deferred the Wednesday’s hearing of the rebellion case based on the motion filed by Trillanes’ lawyer Ernesto Francisco, who also asked the judge to take the judicial notice of Proclamation No. 50.
Proclamation No. 50, which covers all active and former personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as their supporters who were charged with involvement in various failed coup attempts during the Arroyo administration.
“While Congress has yet to give its concurrence to Proclamation No. 50….it is respectfully submitted that the Honorable Court may, in the exercise of its discretion, extend judicial courtesy to the Office of the President and Congress and defer the trial pending the outcome of the ongoing proceedings in both houses of Congress,” Francisco said.
Once Congress approves the President’s amnesty grant, the court cases will become moot and academic, he said.
“Thus, the accused, therefore, most respectfully move and pray for the deferment of the scheduled hearing until such time that Congress has resolved whether or not to give its concurrence to Proclamation No. 50,” Francisco said.
Aside from Trillanes and Lim, also facing rebellion charges are Capt. Gary C. Alejano, LtSG. Eugene P. Gonzalez, LtSG. Andy G. Torrato, LtJG. Arturo S. Pascua Jr., Capt. Segundino P. Orfiano Jr., 1Lt. Billy S. Pascua, Cpl. Clecarte D. Dahan, Pfc. Juanito S. Jilbury, Pfc. Emmanuel C. Tirador, Pfc. German M. Linde, Julius J. Mesa, Cesari Yasser T. Gonzales, LtSG. James Layug, LtSG. Manuel G. Cabochan, 2Lt. Jonnell P. Sangalang, and Ens. Armand Pontejos.
Marine captain Nicanor Faeldon, who also participated in the stand-off, has yet to be tried in the case as he escaped at the height of the siege. He recently surrendered and is now detained.
The court earlier dismissed for lack of merit similar charges against 18 civilian personalities, led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., former University of the Philippines (UP) President Francisco Nemenzo, Infanta Bishop Julio Labayen and actress Bibeth Orteza.