Frank Chavez opened the petition he filed before the Supreme Court last Friday, on behalf of his client, Army Major Jason Laureano Aquino,with a quote from Benigno Aquino Jr.,made before Military Commission No. 2 on August 2, 1973.
Ninoy Aquino’s words: “There is something that transcends all other considerations, something that is unique in the case against me. Two years ago, on August 24, 1971 – three days after the horrible massacre in Plaza Miranda – I was accused and pronounced guilty of the same charges by the President himself, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces…With due respect to all of you, how can this Military Commission reverse the President? Even if you want to because of your sense of justice, nonetheless, under Presidential Decree No. 39, the President has the power to change or reverse your decision.