Palace says courts can pursue trial of Magdalo mutineers

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday the court would push through with the promulgation of the decision on coup d’etat against detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other soldiers in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny despite President Aquino’s amnesty proclamation.

Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has set the promulgation on Oct. 28.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace would take a hands-off stance on the decision of the judicial branch of government.

“It’s perfectly within the ambit and the jurisdiction of Judge Oscar Pimentel. We will not interfere with that,” Valte said.

She said Palace would have to await Congress’ concurrence on Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to Trillanes and other Magdalo mutineers.

“The process of giving amnesty will continue and proceed separately from the RTC case,” Valte said.

Public Attorneys Office chief Persida Acosta said the court’s decision would be rendered moot and academic once the proclamation was concurred on by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Acosta said the defense panel could file a motion to suspend or defer the promulgation pending Congress’ concurrence of the amnesty proclamation.

She explained that this would also give the judge a chance to give the President’s decision department and judicial courtesy.

‘Reporters saved our lives’

Meanwhile, one of the leaders of the Magdalo rebel soldiers granted amnesty by President Aquino thanked reporters for saving their lives during the siege at the Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City on Nov. 27, 2007.

Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade James Layug told reporters in a news forum in Quezon City yesterday that if not for the presence of television, radio and newspaper reporters inside the hotel they would have all been killed by the government assaulting team.