By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno believes that the Senate leadership should turn over Senator Antonio Trillanes to authorities should an arrest warrant be issued against him.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV welcomes former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in his office (Office of Sen. Trillanes / MANILA BULLETIN)
Sereno echoed the sentiments of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, whom she lauded for recognizing the 1987 Constitution about the procedures of arrest.
Año earlier urged Senate President Vicente Sotto III to "simply" bring Trillanes to the Philippine National Police PNP headquarters in Camp Crame if the court ordered his arrest.
Sereno said she found the proposal "very wise," noting that Trillanes was a duly-elected official of a "high-level" position.
"It was refreshing actually to hear the statement of Sec. Eduardo Año of the DILG," Sereno said in briefing after his visit to Trillanes in Senate Wednesday.
"It would be preferable that the Senate president encourage Sen. Trillanes to turn himself over to the civilian court, instead of the PNP coming to fetch and arrest him," she said.
Sereno visited Trillanes in his office where they talked over lunch. She said has long promised to meet the opposition lawmaker and that she "came here to fulfill my promise."
The former chief justice, however, begged off when asked by reporters on what they have discussed in their meeting.
"The conversation between the two of us, I hope, we keep it confidential. It's better that way," Sereno said.
In a later press briefing, Trillanes said Sereno gave him "some" legal advice on his current situation, which he said, he will consider.
Without specifying their topic, Trillanes said their meeting has been "very positive."
Trillanes on Tuesday said he advised by his colleagues to stay in the Senate following the decision of the Supreme Court denying his petition for a temporary restraining order against President Duterte's Proclamation No. 572.
"Their decision remains, that kung 'yong proclamation lang ang basis to have me arrested, hindi pa rin ire-recognize," he earlier told reporters.