Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has countered Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's assertion that no senator has ever been arrested in Senate premises. Trillanes shared his own experience of being apprehended on the Senate floor in 2018.
In a tweet, Trillanes recalled how the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested him while the Senate was in session, following a warrant issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court.
What is Alan Cayetano talking about when he says no one has ever been arrested inside the Senate? Back in 2018, the Makati RTC issued a warrant against me for rebellion, and it was served by the PNP while the Senate was in session.
Antonio Trillanes IV
Trillanes detailed that the arrest occurred in the Executive Lounge adjacent to the Senate Session Hall, where PNP personnel read him his Miranda rights.
Adding to the discussion, former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno also highlighted the arrests of other senators, including Juan Ponce Enrile and Leila de Lima, emphasizing that they did not compromise the integrity of the Senate.
The conversation regarding arrests in the Senate follows recent events involving Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who is under scrutiny after an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court was issued against him.
Cayetano previously stated that only arrest warrants from Philippine courts would be recognized in the Senate under his leadership.