THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City has turned down the bid of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prevent opposition Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV from traveling abroad due to his pending libel and other criminal cases in various courts.
In a five-page order, Davao RTC Branch 54 Presiding Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang denied the urgent ex-parte motion for the issuance of hold departure order (HDO) filed by the DOJ on December 4, 2018, following the filing of four counts of libel against Trillanes.
On December 7, the trial court issued warrants of arrest for the four counts of libel, prompting Trillanes to voluntarily surrender to the jurisdiction of the court by posting bail.
In denying the prosecution’s motion, the court took into consideration Trillanes’s voluntarily surrender upon learning of the warrants of arrest against him, which indicates that the risk of his flight or escape.
“His voluntary surrender and placing himself under the jurisdiction of the court is a demonstration of his utter respect for the legal processes of this country,” Judge Dayanghirang said.
Trillanes has left the country last December 11, 2018, to attend speaking engagements in the US and Europe.
The trial court said Trillanes’s trips were planned long time ago and were approved by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.
“All told, this Court finds accused Antonio Trillanes IV is not a flight risk and that he will abide with the conditions imposed for his provisional liberty, including his appearance before this Court when required,” the order read.