MANILA — The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the amnesty granted to former senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV by the government, declaring the revocation order issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte through Proclamation No. 527 as “unconstitutional.”
In its decision released on Wednesday, the Court asserted that a sitting Chief Executive lacks the authority to revoke an amnesty grant without the concurrence of Congress.
Furthermore, it emphasized the paramount importance of the Bill of Rights, affirming that neither the Government nor any of its officials, including the President, are exempt from adherence to the law.
The Court highlighted that the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty, long after its finality and without prior notice, constituted a violation of his constitutional right to due process.
Duterte’s proclamation, aimed at reopening criminal cases against Trillanes that had been conclusively dismissed, was deemed to contravene the former lawmaker’s constitutional protections against ex post facto laws and double jeopardy, according to the Court.
Moreover, the Court found compelling evidence supporting Trillanes’ submission of his amnesty application.
“In weighing the exercise of presidential prerogatives against the safeguarding of citizens’ rights, the Constitution and the laws serve as the Court’s guiding principles,” the Supreme Court concluded.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
