Aquino says coup charge vs Trillanes 'unjust'
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Friday labeled as unjust a coup charge against former Navy Lt. Senior Grade and now Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.
Aquino said he has ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to review the coup charge against Trillanes since the elements of a coup were not present during the short-lived mutiny.
"Trillanes was first incarcerated by virtue of the charge of participating in a coup. However, if you review the Revised Penal Code, there is a provision that says a coup is committed if there is a swift, violent attack. Then there’s an enumeration. The enumeration does not include a hotel," he said at the inauguration of the Philippine National Police School of Values and Leadership (SVL) in Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales.
He added: "[Trillanes] was imprisoned because of Oakwood. My opinion is, and that is just my individual opinion, the fiscal should not have let that case prosper. There are several other cases but the coup d'etat case has specific requirements, which were not present. I think there was injustice there."
Aquino said he will leave it to de Lima to review the case thoroughly. He added that the government will leave it to the court to decide on Trillanes's petition asking that he be allowed to participate in the Senate sessions.
Trillanes, along with 300 junior officers and soldiers, took over the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center (now Ascott Makati) on July 27, 2003 and demanded that President Arroyo and other government leaders step down from office due to corruption. The group later surrendered to authorities less than 24 hours after taking over the apartment tower.
Trillanes has been in jail since 2003 but was still able to win a seat in the Senate during the 2007 election. He has not been allowed to participate in any of the Senate sessions because of security risks.
Trillanes' lawyer, Rey Robles, earlier urged Aquino to follow the example set by his mother, former President Cory Aquino, and free all political prisoners at the start of his term.
He said his client is asking the President to allow him to participate in the Senate sessions either personally or through teleconferencing. He said there have been examples in other countries where a legislator is still allowed to continue his duties even while facing a court case.
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Priority ba si Trillanes para sa Pagbabago
Ginoong pangulo, mas marami pong mahihirap na umaasa na madaglian lunas ang kanilang kahirapan sa pag upo ninyo.
Hinahanap po nila ang pagbabago dahil sa ngayon kahit pambili ng pang araw araw na pagkain at pambili ng gamot ay tunay na kapos sila. Mas lalo pa silang lumulubog dahil sa ang mayaman ay mas lalaong yumayaman at ang kapakanan nila ay ginagamit lang ng mga politiko kapag panahon ng halalan at pagkatapos nun ay kalimutan na sila.
Sana po ay huwag ninyo silang kalimutan at unahin ang kapakanan nila kesa dito kay Trillanes na kahit nakakulong ay may nagagastong pang milyom milyon sa travel allowance lamang, samantalang kaming mahihirap nangungutang lang ng pamasahe papunta sa aming trabaho.
Sana po ay pag tuunan ninyo ng pansin ang kapakanan ng mahihirap at hayaan na po ninyo ang korte na mag desisyon diyan dahil wala naman kaming mapapala kung lumabas man o manatili siya sa kulungan.
ang may kasalanan ay dapat magdusa pero kami pong mahihirap ano po ba kasalanan namin para magdusa at makalimutan mo ngayon naka upo ka na bilang pangulo.
I definitely agree. There is
I definitely agree.
There is a shade of politics in all this. It's very obvious that there are much bigger problems that the President should focus on. What do we gain by freeing Trillanes? None.
Here's hoping the new administration would do the right thing.
I definitely disagree...
Shade of politics? No.
It is pure politics.
The right thing to do is to let DOJ clear the issues and let the court decide. That's it.
I definitely disagree
The issue with Trillanes is very small compared to the bigger problems this administration will face.
So the new administration should be focusing on solving the problems that directly affects the people. Corruption and a poor economy are just two from the long list of problems in this country. That should be their very first priority. Not the benefit of just one man.
Magdalo just wanted to express themselves
P'Noy suggested that all Magdalo wanted was to expesss their grievance against the existing goverment. They happened to pick a luxury service apartment and later a five star hotel. This included planting of bombs and terrorizing the civilian population. P.Noy also said there were no coup since hotels and apartments are conducive to hold one. And there was no coup since they didn't suceed.
The attempt was still there
But there was an attempt to do a Coup D' Etat. For example if a person attempted to kill someone and he failed, should we let that person go free because there was no murder? If a person hostaged a family because he just want to express his grievances or sentiments, should we let that person go free afterwards?
The answer is a definitely NO right? Yes, they did not succeed. Yes they occupied a high class apartment and a 5 star hotel. Nobody was hurt thank god. But the attempt to destabilize the government and to terrorize the people was there. That is the motive. And that is why they should be kept in jail.
The law says Trillanes and company is guilty. So let's not break the law.
The "oakwood" happened simply
The "oakwood" happened simply because they want change in government. The problem during that time was that the power wasn't enough to fight against the previous administration.
Amnesty
I believe Trillanes already serve his term in jail and i am sure he learn his lesson in past,why not let him serve and live a normal life,"i also believe di naman sya ganon kasamang tinapay",to all pinoy lets us work together and do your part to improve our standard of living in just,fair and legal way of living dont expect or depend too much to goverment,for the goverment lets us support our citizen to the best we can.
Good Luck!
Just curious. What about
Just curious. What about other citizens who were in jail for lesser offenses? Shouldn't Noynoy provide amnesty for them too? Some people were in jail for stealing and some were framed for murder. Trillanes tried to take-over the government and risk civil war in a Metropolitan area. Don't forget that they planted bombs in the perimeter. Clearly they aim to get what they want and they will KILL to get there.
I thought the new administration will be different from the last one. Respecting the law is the first priority of every new administration. The law says that Trillanes and company's offenses are non-bailable. So let's respect the law. It is there for a reason.
About other citizens.
Common crimes like murder, theft, assault, are not given amnesty.
I guess it is because this one is political in nature.
The circumstances and the motives also behind the offense is considered.