Makati Regional and Municipal Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano on Monday rejected a petition by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte that sought to have Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a known critic of Duterte, arrested.

Duterte sought the arrest of Trillanes after voiding his amnesty, which was granted by former-President Benigno Aquino III in 2011, for his role in mutinies and rebellions during his tenure as a navy officer.

Soriano, in support of his rejection of the petition, disagreed with Duterte’s argument that Trillanes failed to comply with the requirements of requesting amnesty, specifically that he did not formally apply for amnesty and or admit guilt. However, Soriano validated Duterte’s authority to issue Proclamation No. 572, which voided Trillanes’ amnesty.

In September Judge Elmo Alameda of Branch 150 granted the government’s motion for an arrest warrant for Trillanes, for which Trillanes posted bail.

According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, the government may appeal the decision.