Makati court allows media interviews for Trillanes

By Ronron
April 17, 2007

A Makati City court has allowed opposition senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV to be interviewed by the media in relation to his candidacy in the upcoming May 14 elections.

In a four-page order dated March 16, 2007 but released only yesterday, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel said Trillanes, a resigned Navy Captain, is “allowed to be interviewed by the several media agencies subject” to two conditions.

Pimentel said media outlets who want to interview Trillanes, a member of the Genuine Opposition slate, should submit to the court their proposed questions and issues. They are also mandated to file their manifestation on when they intend to interview Trillanes.

This is to make sure that Trillanes will not make unnecessary statements.

Secondly, the same manifestations to the court should also be submitted to the Philippine Marine Brig, the custodian of Trillanes, three days before the intended schedule of interview as a sign of courtesy.

Trillanes is on trial before Pimentel’s sala for coup d’ etat charges in relation to the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, which he led. He is currently detained at the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Pimentel had earlier denied Trillanes’ request to grant media interviews for his senatorial bid. But he eventually granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Trillanes’ lawyers.

“First, it is now clear that the subject matter of the proposed interviews and discussions will not deal on issues involving the present case; instead, it will focus on political and national issues, his propaganda, plans and platforms,” Pimentel said.

He said the Philippine Marine Brig’s continuous refusal to submit a comment on Trillanes’ motion is also seen already as an “act of yielding to the orders of the court,” and not “as an act of approval,” as it was initially interpreted.

Trillanes had asked for media access to give him an almost equal opportunity in the ongoing campaign, considering his present condition as a detainee./DMS