Prosecution: We proved our case
Defense: Prosecution had no case
by Peter Tabingo
The six-year trial on perjury and plunder charges against President Joseph Estrada formally ended yesterday with the conclusion of the oral summation by the prosecution and the defense.
Presiding Justice and Special Division chair Teresita Leonardo-De Castro declared the cases submitted for resolution. The decision, under the law, must be promulgated within 90 days.
I covered Sandiganbayan’s penultimate trial of plunder angaist former President Estrada. I missed the proclamation of Sonny Trillanes. But I visited him late afternoon. They had a salo-salo at the detention center. Everybody’s happy.
People close to him said as early as 8 a.m. he was ready. They were all irked when told that he couldn’t leave because of additional requiremnts being imposed by Esperon. Hurried calls were made.Later, since there was nothing that Esperon could do anymore to prevent his proclamation, his guard was instructed to handcuff him in both hands instead of the usual practice of handcuffing his one hand to the security escort.
Let’s not forget that there is still Koko Pimentel of the Genuine Opposition fighting with Migz Zubiri of Team Unity for the last slot in the senatorial race.
Pimentel leads Zubiri by 111,561 votes.
How the Comelec will decide the problem in Maguindanao will decide the fate of Pimentel and Zubiri. Maguindanao has a little over 212,000 registered voters (The 337,044 Comelec uses is the registered voters before Shariff Kabunsuan was created as a subprovince from Maguindanao).
It’s a busy morning for journalists today.
Today at 10:30 a.m., Antonio Trillanes IV, who ran for senator under the Genuine Opposition will be proclaimed winner in the May 14 elections.
To say that this is sweet victory for the detained Navy officer (he was deemed resigned from military service when he filed his certificate of candidacy last February) is an understatement. It’s a classic example of triumph over overwhelming odds. It’s inspiring. It’s redeeming.
The Commission on Election has announced that Antonio Trillanes IV will be proclaimed a winner in the senatorial race in the may 14, 2007 elections…
Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Urgello of Bantay-Boto electoral watchdog warned of a “decapitated Armed Forces” if Antonio Trillanes IV, detained senatorial candidate of the Genuine…
Anong drama naman nitong si Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento na pai-imbistigahan raw niya ang mga opisyal ng Comelec na sangkot sa Hello Garci operation nong 2004 election?
Sabi ni Sarmiento, “Kung may bahid sila ng kanilang asosasyon kay Garci, kailangan humarap sila sa imbestigasyon.”
Hello???
Jailed Filipino likely to be a senator
By Paul Watson and Sol Vanzi, Special to The Times
June 13, 2007
FORT BONIFACIO, PHILIPPINES — In the annals of political comebacks, Antonio Trillanes’ must rank among the most unlikely. After campaigning from a cramped cell in a marine brig, the alleged coup leader is poised to win a Senate seat.
Four years ago as a navy lieutenant, Trillanes allegedly led more than 300 troops against the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Last month, he ran for the Senate as a prisoner held at the headquarters of the Philippine marine corps.
Three days before the next hearing of the special general court martial formed to try them for their alleged withdrawal of support from the bogus president that is Gloria Arroyo in February 2006, Marine Col. Ariel Querubin went to the Supreme Court to stop the court martial proceedings of what they describe as kangaroo court.
Here’s Inquirer’s report by Tetch Torres:
Jailed Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin has asked the Supreme Court to stop his court-martial for attempted mutiny, saying the Court of Appeals abused its discretion and committed serious errors when it dismissed his plea to prevent the military from hearing his case.
I’m not a bit worried about the plan of Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan and Antonio Trillanes IV to form an informal Cavaliers Club in the Senate.
Cavalier is a term used for an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy.
For the first time in the history of the Philippine Senate, out of the 23 senators (Alfredo Lim’s seat is vacant after his election as Manila mayor), four are PMA graduates with Trillanes, who is still awaiting proclamation, as the latest addition.