Court resumes trial of Trillanes’ rebellion case
Credit to Author: eestopace| Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 08:16:02 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 has resumed the trial of Senator Antonio Trillanes’ rebellion case that was dismissed by the same court eight years ago.
On the first day of the trial, the prosecution presented as witness Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Sytat, who was present in court when Trillanes and his fellow soldiers walked out and went to the Manila Peninsula.
Trillanes’ long-time counsel, lawyer Reynaldo Robles said Sytat, the first witness presented by the prosecution, is “a filler witness.”
“Wala namang materiality ang testimonya nya. Ang sabi nila nahihirapan sila sa ibang testigo so ayaw nilang masayang yung hearing kaya ipinirisinta sya,” Robles told reporters.
(There is no materiality to her testimony. They said they are having difficulty securing other witnesses, so for this hearing not to go to waste, they presented her.)
After Sytat’s direct testimony, Robles opted to defer the conduct of a cross-examination to the next hearing on July 22 because Sytat is not included in the original list of witnesses and her affidavit was not among the documents given to them.
“Sa tingin ko she was just a filler para lang di masabing wala silang witness available,” said Robles.
(I think she was just a filler so as not to say that they do not have an available witness.)
WATCH: Atty. Reynaldo Robles calls prosecutor’s 1st witness to rebellion case v. Sen. Trillanes as “filler.” | @T2TupasINQ pic.twitter.com/yp8wb4Wdmn
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 27, 2019
Trillanes’ rebellion case was for the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. The case was dismissed in 2011 after the senator was given amnesty by then President Benigno Aquino III.
However, the Makati Court revived the case after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a proclamation revoking the amnesty for Trillanes’ alleged failure to submit an application form and admit his guilt. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
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