Ex-amnesty panel chair: Trillanes complied with application

MANILA, Philippines— Former Defense Undersecretary Honorario Azcueta, who handled the application for amnesty of Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, on Sunday confirmed that the senator and former rebel Navy officer has complied with the requirements for his reprieve.

Azcueta said the senator complied with the two requirements for the amnesty and indeed applied.

"Obviously. That's why on records he was granted amnesty," Azcueta said in a text message to GMA News when asked if he applied for the reprieve.

"I can honestly say that as chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Amnesty, I conscientiously did my job in accordance with the Proclamation No. 75 and its rules," he said.

The former DND chief also said Trillanes admitted guilt to the crimes he pleaded pardon for.

The former amnesty panel chair’s statement came after President Rodrigo Duterte said usurpation of authority was committed when former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin recommended and approved Trillanes’ application for amnesty.

Duterte last week issued Proclamation No. 572 declaring that the amnesty granted to the senator by the previous administration was void from the start.

The president’s revocation of the pardon stated that Trillanes did not comply with the minimum requirements to qualify under the amnesty proclamation. This includes a certification from the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

Trillanes was granted amnesty by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Gazmin, who approved the recommendations of the ad hoc committee to grant amnesty to Trillanes, said its entire process was above board, adding that the senator followed the process of application

“As far as I can remember all those who were granted amnesty went thru the process,” Gazmin said in a statement.

Trillanes also earlier presented DND amnesty documents from his "friends and supporters" to refute the claims of the president. — Rosette Adel