Judge in high-profile cases gets to handle Trillanes case

A judge who handled several recent high-profile cases will now handle the rebellion case against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and more than 30 personalities in connection with the November 29 standoff in Makati City. Radio dzBB reported that the case of rebellion and inciting to rebellion were raffled to Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150. The report said Alameda was not at the Makati court but his staff were present. Several other salas took part in the "raffle" Thursday afternoon. Alameda was also the judge who handled the rebellion case against the "Batasan 6," six left-leaning lawmakers charged with rebellion for a supposed coup try in February 2006. He is also the judge handling the murder case against former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste, who shot dead long-time aide Rafael delas Alas last January. Government prosecutors lodged rebellion charges against more than 30 personalities for last week's incident, and gave 15 others until Dec. 18 to file their counter-affidavits. - GMANews.TV