Loren lauds decision to grant Trillanes, 16 others bail

NACIONALISTA PARTY VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LOREN LEGARDA WELCOMED THE GRANT OF THE PETITION FOR BAIL OF DETAINED SENATOR ARTURO TRILLANES IV AND 16 OTHERS CHARGED WITH REBELLION.
“As a lawmaker, I’m glad to hear that the justice system seems to be working properly,” she said, on learning of the decision of Judge Elmo Alameda of Branch 50 of the Makati Regional Trial Court.
She praised Alameda for his “fairness and impartiality” in deciding to grant Trillanes and his companions bail of P200,000 each based on the evidence presented so far by the government.
“An actual clash of arms with government forces is not necessary to make one liable of rebellion,” Alameda said in her 16-page decision.
“No direct, material and competent evidence adduced to prove the specific act committed by the accused constituting the crime of rebellion or any of the elements thereof. The walkout from the court, the marching to the Manila Peninsula hotel and the press conference held in the same hotel denouncing the administration of President [Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo are not sufficient to prove the non-bailable crime of rebellion,” he said.
Trillanes won a seat in the Senate in the 2007 elections while in jail.