By VANNE TERRAZOLA
SEN. Antonio F. Trillanes IV said yesterday that he will challenge before the Supreme Court the proclamation of President Duterte voiding his amnesty.
Trillanes said his camp is planning to seek a temporary restraining order before the SC against Proclamation No. 572 which nullified the government amnesty granted to him in 2011 and ordered his arrest.
“Magfa-file kami ng petition for TRO sa Korte Suprema. Kasi ‘to, sa akin, this goes beyond the political lines,” Trillanes said.
His office said they are looking to file the petition yesterday afternoon or today.
The opposition senator said justices of the High Court should be alarmed over the issuance of declaration, saying it transcends the authority of the three branches of government. “‘Yong presidential declaration na ‘yon should alarm the justices of the Supreme Court kasi nandoon ‘yong exercise ni Duterte ng Executive, Legislative, and judicial powers,” Trillanes said.
The staunch Duterte critic claimed that the Chief Executive showed his “dictatorial tendencies” in issuing the proclamation.
Trillanes warned the SC against favoring the Proclamation No. 572, which he said, could later allow a President to issue arrest warrants. “‘Yong warrant of arrest, pagka in-affirm nila yung presidential declaration, pwede nang mag-issue ng warrant ‘yong President,” he said.
He reiterated that Duterte’s order cannot be used as an authorization to bring him in detention. On Tuesday, military and police personnel went to Senate in an apparent move to arrest the lawmaker, despite the absence of a warrant.
The Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has yet to release an arrest warrant against Trillanes as it has yet to hear the motion of the Department of Justice.
