DOJ chief: No politics in Trillanes case review

President Benigno Aquino III's order to review the coup d'etat case of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has nothing to do with politics, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday. At a news briefing, De Lima also stressed her department's review was done in such as way that it did not encroach on judiciary's domain. Trillanes' coup case is pending before a Makati City court. "I don't feel that [it is political] because I recognize his [President Aquino] prerogative. I felt it was my duty to give him a judicious study and recommendation," De Lima told reporters. "It was really the prerogative of the President to direct the DOJ to review the case even at this late stage. No one can take it away from the President. At the same time, we respect the judiciary because anything that we do now will be subject to the court's discretion. There is no conflict there," she added. While she said she had forwarded the results of the review to President Aquino, she remained mum on the details. "I dont think it will be proper that i will preempt the President," she said. De Lima also downplayed the reported misgivings of DOJ prosecutors to have the case reviewed. "I don't mind that the prosecutors would express sentiments like that." Cases vs Trillanes Trillanes is facing coup d’etat charges before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 for his participation in the so-called Oakwood Mutiny on July 27, 2003. The senator later also faced rebellion charges before the Makati City RTC Branch 150 for taking part in the so-called Manila Peninsula hotel siege in November 2007. Trillanes also stands accused of violating Articles of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman) before a military tribunal in connection with the Oakwood incident. Last week, Trillanes posted a P200,000 bail before the Makati RTC Branch 150 “in anticipation of the possibility" that Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati RTC Branch 148 would grant his earlier motion for a leave-from-detention to attend the opening of the Senate session on July 26. On Sunday, De Lima said she has started reviewing Trillanes' coup case. President Aquino's directive for the review was met with criticism that it was encroaching on judical powers and that it was political because of the incoming voting for the Senate presidency. Fight for Senate presidency Should the petition for bail be granted, speculation is that Trillanes could give one vote for Senate Francis Pangilinan, Aquino's Liberal Party's bet for the Senate's top post. Pangilinan is LP's bet against Senator and defeated presidential bet Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party. Malacañang had fended off allegations that Aquino's order to review Trillanes' case is connected to the race for the Senate presidency. "It's totally alien and different from what the president has mentioned," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said earlier. Even Trillanes' camp maintained that the review was in no way an assurance that the former military officer will vote for Pangilinan in case the court allows Trillanes to attend the Senate opening session. (See: No sure vote yet for Kiko, Trillanes spokesman says) — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV