Drilon says SC ruling on Trillanes case crucial to preserving rule of law

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon believes that it is time for the Supreme Court to step in in order to rectify the recent episodes in the judicial system that "go against the basic constitutional and legal principles," referring to Proclamation No. 572 and the resurrection of cases against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

"We ask the Supreme Court, as the final arbiter of justice, to rectify these episodes in our judicial system that go against the basic principles of law. The entire legal profession knows that what's happening is wrong," Drilon said in an interview with DWIZ radio on Saturday.

"As I see it, all lawyers, and even current students who are taking up law are now perplexed with the state of rule of law. It seems that everything we studied has been thrown out and disregarded instantly," Drilon said.

Drilon hopes the Supreme Court will rectify it the soonest, citing its serious implications to the stability of the judicial system in the country.

The decision that the Supreme Court will make is very crucial to maintaining the stability of the judicial system and preserving the rule of law, according to Drilon.

He added that the case does not concern only Sen. Trillanes but all past and future acts concerning the power of the President to grant amnesty. He cited that even Chief-of-Staff Carlito Galvez, who was also given amnesty in the past, could be affected if Proc. 572 is sustained.

He also said it could affect the integrity of the amnesty that the government will grant in the future, because of fears that it can be reopened anytime.

The former justice secretary maintained that there is no basis in law and in fact the issuance of Proclamation No. 572 which revoked the amnesty given to Trillanes seven years ago.

He also as no basis the issuance of arrest against Sen. Trillanes. "The cases were validly and legally dismissed seven years ago by virtue of the amnesty that was given to Sen. Trillanes and the validity of which was ruled upon by the same courts. The decisions in these cases have already attained finality," Drilon said.