Manila/New York/-The Hague, 27 September 2018: PGA’s global membership of over 1300 legislators from 143 parliaments expresses serious concern over the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (Philippines), PGA member, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s revocation of the amnesty granted to him in 2011.
On 25 September 2018, Senator Trillanes IV, a fierce critic of President Duterte, was arrested for charges relating to a purported coup d’état connected to his participation in alleged mutinies against the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003, 2006, and 2007- for which he had been previously granted amnesty by Duterte’s predecessor, then President Benigno Aquino III. On 4 September 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 572, aimed at voiding the amnesty granted to the Senator on the basis of the claim that he "did not comply with the minimum requirements to qualify under the Amnesty Proclamation” as he “had failed to file a formal amnesty request and acknowledge guilt”. On 25 September, an arrest warrant against Trillanes IV was issued by a Makati Court, Branch 150, on the grounds of rebellion and setting bail at P200,000 ($3,692.8).
Senator Trillanes has been released on bail. The consideration of the petition presented by Senator Trillanes on the constitutionality of Proclamation 572 is pending at Supreme Court of the Philippines. However, if the court handling the charges of coup d’état - Branch 148-, decides to revive the case, Senator Trillanes will be facing an arrest warrant with no possibility of posting bail.
In the framework of the ongoing harassment and violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of those perceived to be political opponents of President Duterte, PGA calls for the respect of the Rule of Law, the principle of separation of powers, and the principle of legality. PGA had already expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating repression of those dissenting with the views and policies of the current President of The Philippines. In April 2018, PGA Board member and Convenor of the PGA International Law and Human Rights Program, Barbara Lochbihler, MEP (Germany), co-authored a Joint motion for a Resolution adopted by the European Parliament, strongly condemning the situation in the Philippines and calling on the Government to put a halt to its abusive practices and safeguard the Rule of Law, democracy, and respect for human rights.
Parliamentarians for Global Action is particularly concerned that interference with the autonomy of Prosecutors and the independence of the Judiciary by the Executive may de facto alter the constitutional checks and balances of democracy in The Philippines. PGA calls upon all these authorities to fulfil their constitutional obligations and exclusively apply the domestic law in line with international norms and principles on human rights to which The Philippines is bound under International Law.
