(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, Sept. 8, said it was Solicitor General Jose Calida who initiated a probe into the granting of amnesty to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in connection with the Oakwood mutiny and Peninsula Manila siege.
He said he could not refuse as Calida was the government lawyer and he as chief executive should “enforce the law.”
This is the first time Duterte acknowledged that Calida initiated the research.
Calida had remained mum about his role in the amnesty revocation, while Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Solicitor General might have initiated the same.
Proclamation No. 572 declared the amnesty granted by former President Benigno Aquino III as void ab initio citing his alleged failure to file an official application form for the same and a certification from the military saying a copy of his application was not available.
It also cited Trillanes’ alleged failure to make an express admission of guilt for the crimes committed.