The Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional former President Rodrigo Duterte’s revocation of the amnesty granted in 2010 by then President Benigno Aquino III.

The High Court affirmed the validity of the amnesty as it declared Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 as unconstitutional.

Trillanes thanked the SC for the en banc decision that upheld the amnesty granted by Aquino to free the former senator of any liability in leading attempts to overthrown the government of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, speaking for the Court, emphasized that a President cannot unilaterally revoke an amnesty grant without Congress' concurrence.

The Court underscored the supremacy of the Bill of Rights and reiterated that neither the Government nor its officials, including the President, are exempt from the law.

The Court further ruled that the revocation of Trillanes' amnesty, long after it had become final and without prior notice, violated his constitutional right to due process.

Additionally, Proclamation No. 572's attempt to revive criminal cases against Trillanes, which had been dismissed with finality, was deemed a violation of his constitutional protections against ex post facto laws and double jeopardy.

Moreover, the Court found compelling evidence that Trillanes had indeed filed his amnesty application. The selective revocation of only Trillanes' amnesty, despite similar challenges in locating application forms of other amnesty grantees, was deemed a violation of his right to equal protection under the law.

This decision reaffirms that in upholding the citizens' rights while balancing presidential prerogatives, the Constitution and the laws serve as the Court's guiding principles.



In his social media post, Trillanes chided Duterte’s attempt to silence the political opposition critical of his anti-drug war that resulted in the death of nearly 10,000 Filipinos.



“Sa kagustuhang patahimikin at ipakulong ang mga miyembro ng oposisyon, sina Duterte, Medialdea, Guevarra at Calida ay gumawa ng pag-abuso ng kapangyarihan at sukdulang katangahan,” Trillanes said.