Gov’t may drop raps vs Enrile, Maceda

In the spirit of political reconciliation, the government is considering dropping the rebellion charges against Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and former Ambassador to the US Ernesto Maceda, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said yesterday.

"We are studying not only Maceda’s case but those of everyone. We will be submitting a recommendation to the President," Perez explained. "This is consistent with the policy of reconciliation and healing of wounds."

Maceda and Enrile have been charged of instigating the May 1 assault on Malacañang by supporters of jailed former President Joseph Estrada. They allegedly delivered impassioned speeches to provoke the Estrada loyalists gathered at the EDSA Shrine to attack the Palace.

Also tagged in the attempted power grab were outgoing Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Senators-elect Gregorio Honasan and Panfilo Lacson.

Perez could not give a categorical answer regarding the case of Santiago, Lacson and Honasan since charges have not been filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Enrile was indicted for rebellion before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court while Maceda’s conspiracy to commit rebellion suit was recently transferred from the RTC to the Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC).

Perez said President Arroyo has directed the DOJ to explore the possibility of forging reconciliation with various parties.

"We are going to study this and I will talk with the parties concerned," he said.

State prosecutors earlier firmed up the rebellion case against Maceda with the transfer of the suit to the MTC.

They said the case was withdrawn from the RTC because conspiracy to commit rebellion, for which Maceda has been indicted, is punishable with imprisonment of below six years. This falls within the authority of the Quezon City MTC.

Under the law, crimes that carry a prison term of six years or longer are handled by the RTC.

Last month, the SC voted to junk the petitions of Santiago, Honasan and Lacson to question the warrantless arrests under a state of rebellion, which was declared by President Arroyo following the Palace assault.

The SC ruling was based on the assurance given by the DOJ that no more warrantless arrests would be made as a consequence of the lifting of the state of rebellion last May 6.