SC denies Trillanes’ petition for TRO

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) En Banc on Tuesday denied Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV’s petition for a writ of preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order (TRO) against President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 which voided his amnesty and directs his arrest. The SC also directed respondents Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director-General Oscar D. Albayalde to file their comment on Mr. Trillanes’s petition within 10 days.

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) En Banc on Tuesday denied Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV’s petition for a writ of preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order (TRO) against President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 which voided his amnesty and directs his arrest.

The SC also directed respondents Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director-General Oscar D. Albayalde to file their comment on Mr. Trillanes’s petition within 10 days.

In a press briefing, Acting Chief Public Information Officer Maria Victoria Gleoresty Guerra said the issues as to whether the Senator filed his application for amnesty and admitted his guilt for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege are factual concerns.

“Only a trial court, and in certain cases the Court of Appeal, are trier of facts. Hence it is appropriate that the Makati RTCs (regional trial courts) should be given leeway in exercising their concurrent jurisdiction...and resolve the pleadings/motions filed by the parties as regard the legality of Proclamation No. 572, Series of 2018,” Ms. Guerra said. —