Trillanes posts bail for revived rebellion case

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:55 p.m.) — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said that he plans to post bail at the  Makati court that issued a warrant for his arrest for a rebellion case dismissed in 2011.

Trillanes arrived at the Makati RTC past 4 p.m. to post bail for his temporary liberty.

After Trillanes paid the bail bond of P200,000, Judge Elmo Alameda issued a one-page order directing the senator's release. Alameda set the initial presentation of prosecution evidence on November 21, The STAR reported.

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said that Trillanes would return to the Senate where the latter has been staying since the publication of Proclamation 572. 

Trillanes was presiding over a committee hearing at the Senate when news broke of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150's resolution that granted the Department of Justice’s motion for a warrant and hold departure order against him.

Facing reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Trillanes said in Filipino: “Even though we showed all evidence contrary to their claims on my amnesty was revoked, the warrant was still issued.”

“We offcially no longer have a democracy. This case goes beyond me,” he added.

Trillanes’ camp filed their Rejoinder before the Makati RTC Branch 150 on Monday. They have pressented an affidavit from Col. Josefa Berbigal where she attested that: “Among the applications for amnesty which our committee processed was that of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, which was filed on Jan. 5, 2011.”

Trillanes said that he will go with the arresting officers and personally post bail at the Makati court.

“Our intention is to post bail, like I said, I will go with the arresting team when there is a warrant, no matter how unjust the warrant may be,” he added.

Alameda’s order said that bail for Trillanes’ case is fixed at P200,000.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, for his part, said that Alameda’s order only confirms that the rebellion case has not been dismissed.

“What is significant here is, the case is very much alive,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters. —  Kristine Joy Patag