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Manila Bulletin devider devider Trillanes' arrest weakened democracy – Robredo

Trillanes' arrest weakened democracy – Robredo

Published Sep 25, 2018 07:54 pm
By Raymund Antonio Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo said the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday was an attempt to silence dissent and has, in effect, weakened democracy in the country. Vice President Leni Robredo (Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Vice President Leni Robredo
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) This was Robredo’s reply when asked about her thoughts on the arrest order issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 against Trillanes for charges of rebellion. “Nagugulat tayo kasi ang alam natin iyong kaso for rebellion has already been dismissed with the granting of the amnesty. So gusto nating makita iyong order ng Regional Trial Court kasi titingnan natin iyong basis (We are surprised because we know the rebellion case has already been dismissed with the granting of the amnesty. So we want to see the order of the Regional Trial Court in order the see the basis),” she said. The Vice President said she believes Trillanes will follow the legal process after his arrest. Trillanes was the second opposition senator arrested after Senator Leila de Lima, who was arrested in February 2017. De Lima is detained in Camp Crame over drug charges. “The crime for which he was charged for before is bailable. I would assume that he would post bail this afternoon so he can prepare for his defense,” she said in Filipino. Robredo, a lawyer, offered her support for the opposition senator at the Senate before he was arrested. She was at the Senate to defend her office’s budget for next year. Robredo was saddened by Trillanes’ arrest following the removal of Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice via quo warranto petition and detention of De Lima. Robredo said that dissent voices are important to a healthy democracy and would always keep public officials on their toes.  
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