Sunday, July 18, 2010

DoJ begins review of Trillanes' coup d'etat charges



MANILA, Philippines (ABS-CBN News) - Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the Department of Justice (DoJ) has started reviewing the records of the coup d'état case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

De Lima is acting on orders of President Benigno Aquino III for DoJ to thoroughly review Trillanes' case.

Aquino said in a previous interview that the coup d'état charge brought against Trillanes may need some looking into.

"We abide by the directive of the President," De Lima said.

"I am reviewing the records of the case and have consulted our prosecutors, especially those handling it before the court. The DoJ will submit its recommendation to the President after making a thorough review of the case. The President expects nothing less than a thorough review," De Lima said in a statement on Sunday.

Trillanes led rebel soldiers that seized the upscale Oakwood Hotel in Makati on July 25, 2003, demanding the ouster of former President Gloria Arroyo. In November 2007, Trillanes again, led the assault of the Peninsula Hotel, also in Makati. Both coup attempts were foiled by the administration.

The DoJ filed a case for coup d'état against Trillanes and 30 other soldiers. Both the prosecution and defense have rested their case before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 148, Makati City. Both parties will submit their respective memoranda within 30 days from receipt of the RTC's July 12, 2010 order.

"I understand that the case will soon be deemed submitted for the court's decision, upon the filing of the required memoranda by both the prosecution and the defense. At this stage, the options for the prosecution may be limited. And the courts have absolute discretion in the disposal of a case once it has acquired jurisdiction over it," said De Lima.

"On the other hand, the President has the absolute prerogative to direct the Secretary of Justice, as an alter ego, to review the case against Trillanes," De Lima added.

"I will, however, exercise care and circumspection under the circumstances, given the independence of the judiciary."