Philippines: Duterte cites presidential prerogative on amnesty

• It’s the “president’s prerogative” to void the amnesty granted to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV while maintaining the amnesty granted to other military personnel, according to President Duterte.
• Duterte said the amnesty given to Trillanes by former president Benigno Aquino III is flawed, but stopped short of saying that the other officers, who were granted amnesty together with Trillanes, have nothing to worry about.
• Duterte denied he was targeting Trillanes as he pointed out that Solicitor General Jose Calida saw some flaws in the granted amnesty. He did not say though whether he ordered Calida to review the amnesty or if Calida acted on his own.
• Asked to comment on why only Trillanes, he replied that he was using a presidential prerogative in issuing Proclamation 572.
• Previously, the President said it was Calida’s research that paved the way for his issuance of Proclamation 572 effectively voiding the amnesty granted to Trillanes in 2010 for the latter’s role in the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003.
• The President said he could not afford to ignore or refuse legal advice from Calida, whom he described as “quite bright” and matino (upright).
• Meanwhile, former Defense Undersecretary Honorario Azcueta, who handled the application for amnesty of Sen. Trillanes IV, confirmed on 9 Sep 18 that the senator and former rebel Navy officer has complied with the requirements for his reprieve.
• Azcueta said the senator complied with the two requirements for the amnesty and indeed applied. The former DND chief also said Trillanes admitted guilt to the crimes he pleaded pardon for.

External Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/10/1850155/duterte-cites-presidential-prerogative-amnesty

External Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/09/1849901/duterte-solgen-did-research-amnesty

External Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/09/1850040/ex-amnesty-panel-chair-trillanes-complied-application