Manila: The Philippine presidential palace on Wednesday dismissed talks of fresh plans to grab power following comments made by a senator who had figured in such military action in the past.

“There are no reports of restiveness among the rank and file of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a palace press briefing as he referred to information coming from Senator Antonio Trillianes IV that influential former heads of the military were clandestinely organising a coup d’etat.

Talk had been swirling of a power grab in the works over the past few days in the wake of recent political developments in the country.

Around three weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled that a move by the executive branch to fast track the release of funds through the so-called Disbursement Allocation Programme (DAP) was unconstitutional.

This ruling came against the backdrop of a controversy concerning discretionary funds allocated to members of the Congress, euphemistically referred to as the “pork barrel” scheme.

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla Jr were detained as a result of the controversy and are awaiting trial for allegedly pocketing P72 million (Dh6 million) in funds.

Trillianes had said that the retired military and police brass were trying to convince active officials to heed the clamour of the people for a change in leadership.

Later on, Trillianes changed his position and said the military leadership was not going along with the plan.

According to Lacierda, the Palace is convinced that there is no reason for the military rank and file to take part in any plot to destabilise the government.

“The reason for the lack of interest is primarily the reforms that the Aquino administration has already implemented with respect to the armed forces. We have provided mission essential equipment to the people on the ground. We have provided housing units. We have modernised the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said.

Under the administration of Aquino, the Philippine military has increased its capability considerably, transitioning from a force that cut its teeth in defeating communist insurgents and Muslim separatists, into an organisation equipped with hardware that can deal with external threats.

“These are the measures that we have implemented in order to strengthen our armed forces. And the rank and file realise and do recognise and appreciate the efforts of the Aquino administration in this respect,” Lacierda said.

“We will let the retired generals speak for themselves. Suffice it to say that we, in the government, and especially the men and women in active service, are committed to the duly constituted authority. There is no question or issue as to any restiveness in the military,” he added.

Trillianes, as a Navy senior grade lieutenant took part in the failed Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City in 2003.

As a Senator, he also participated in the botched Manila Peninsula Siege in Makati City in 2007.

Both plots were aimed at toppling the then administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom the plotters accused of corruption.

Macapagal-Arroyo had since been detained at the government hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Centre in Quezon City since 2011 while cases against her are being heard by a branch of the anti-graft Sandiganbayan court.

Trillianes is reportedly planning to run for higher office in the 2016 national elections.