MANILA , Philippines — On Friday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has called the public to refrain from commenting on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty because the case is already pending in the High Court.
“I respectfully ask everyone to please stop commenting on these issues already dahil nasa Supreme Court na ‘yan, ipagkatiwala na lang natin sa Supreme Court ‘yong pagresolve dyan sa issues na ‘yan,” Guevara said
“Mako-contempt of court tayong lahat if we continue to discuss this matter, these legal issues which are already pending before the Supreme Court,” he added.
Trillanes’ lawyer Atty. Reynaldo Robles has petitioned the High Tribunal for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Malacañang’s Proclamation 572 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.
The presidential Proclamation 572 revokes the amnesty given by former President Benigno Aquino III to Trillanes.
Responding to a question if the High Tribunal would Trillanes a fair treatment, Guevarra said: “We’ll have to believe in the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court. So we’ll find that out, he will be given his day in court naturally. He has filed his petition, so I’m sure that the government will be required to comment on the petition.”
“We don’t know exactly what the Supreme Court may do about it, I don’t want to comment any further dahil nasa kanila na nga ‘yon,” he pointed out.
Guevara was appointed the caretaker of the government by virtue of Special Order 918 signed by Duterte. The President designated the justice secretary while he was on a historic journey in Israel and Jordan from September 2 to 9, respectively.(davaotoday.com)
