Charges of rebellion were laid against a Philippine senator, a former vice-president and 34 other people who occupied a hotel in a bizarre coup attempt last week.
The Department of Justice said former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Senator Antonio Trillanes and rebel soldiers had "performed . . . overt acts showing their common purpose, to overthrow the present government and form a new one".
Rebellion is punishable by life in prison.
The group had taken over the Manila Peninsula hotel and called on the army to mutiny and overthrow the government. But a special army unit stormed the hotel ending a seven-hour standoff.
Fifteen other people - including Mr Guingona's daughter, a newspaper columnist and civilians - were not charged.
Security forces are seeking an army captain and three soldiers who escaped during the assault.
Police detained about 100 people, about half of them journalists, after the incident but freed the journalists.