(Eagle News)–The Department of Justice on Sunday, Oct. 14, took strong exception to Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano’s allegation the government was exerting pressure on a Makati court judge for him to rule against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in the coup d’état case against him.
In a strongly worded statement, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the DOJ “does not interact with the judge except through the pleadings filed and arguments raised in open court,” referring to Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano.
“Rep. Alejano’s allegations tend to impede the orderly administration of justice, unfairly cast aspersion on the integrity and professionalism of the (DOJ) and its state prosecutors, and contumaciously influence Judge Soriano’s decision-making process,” Guevarra said.
Apart from the coup d’état case, Trillanes faces a rebellion case in Branch 150 of the Makati RTC.
Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda granted the DOJ’s motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Trillanes.
Soriano’s decision on a similar motion is expected next week.
