A Better Third Day For The Senate
It was a better third day for The Philippine Senate, as they finally pushed through with the,
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLANES IV BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SESSIONS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE.
The key reasons and contentions for the resolutions are logical, acknowledges the separation of powers between the courts and the Senate, but also puts forward the ability of The Senate to make its sentiments known. The overwhelming sentiment aside from four Senators, is that Senator Antonio Trillanes should be allowed to attend Senate Sessions and perform other duties related to being A Senator.
WHEREAS, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who was elected as such in the last senatorial elections by more than 12 million voters throughout the country;
WHEREAS, Senator Trillanes is under detention by military authorities for alleged involvement in the so-called Oakwood mutiny that took place in 2003;
WHEREAS, the charges against the alleged leader of the Oakwood mutiny, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, have been dropped by the Department of Justice;
WHEREAS, Senator Trillanes by his election has indubitably opted to pursue his greivances against the government in a peaceful manner;
WHEREAS, the possibility of flight by Senator Trillanes is remot if not impossible considering the circumstances;
WHEREAS, adequate measures may be adopted by the Senate and by the authorities of the armed forces under whose custody he has been placed to ensure that Senator Trillanes would stick to the performance of his duties as a senator if allowed to do so;
WHEREAS, the Senate as one of the three major branches of the government has the facilities and manpower to take Senator Trillanes into its custody and guarantee that the latter would be present when needed by the court or any other proper authority at any given time;
WHEREAS, the message of the overwhelming mandate of the electorate in the last senatorial election is that the people want the then Captain Trillanes to represent them and sit and perform the duties of a senator of the land;
WHEREAS, Senator Justiniano Montano of Cavite in the early ’50s was placed in a similar predicament as Senator Trillanes when the former was charged for multiple murders and was placed under arrest. Multiple murders like the offense for which Senator Trillanes is charged was non-bailable. But the Supreme Court allowed him bail so that he could join the sessions of the Congress and perform his other duties as an elected senator of the land.
WHEREAS, the Senate recognizes that the Regional Trial Court of Makati has primary jurisdiction over the person of Senator Trillanes because the Oakwood mutiny case is pending therein; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved as the Senate hereby resolves to approve the foregoing Sense of the Senate Resolution to support the petition for bail of Senator Trillanes and for all concerned to allow Senator Trillanes to sit in the Senate and perform his duties as a senator of the land.
The following Senators signed the petition,
Nene Pimentel, Noynoy Aquino, Rodolfo Biazon, Jamby Madrigal, Ping Lacson, Loren Legards, Mar Roxas, Manhy Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, Alan Peter Cayetano, Chiz Escudero, Ramon Revilla Jr., Lito Lapid, Gringo Honasan, Pia Cayetano
The Senators who opposed and did not vote for the resolution were four,
Joker Arroyo, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Richard Gordon, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Trillanes of course was not able to attend, but Migz Zubiri made a show of goodwill by voting for the resolution. Migz said that despite being maligned in public by Senator Antonio Trillanes, that he is willing to work with him and debate with him in The Senate.
I contend, that the maligned public image of Migz Zubiri was of his own doing or lack of action during the Maguindanao Canvass and Re-canvass. Blind maybe Migz’s eye, but we, The Filipino people, could see clearly.
All in all, it’s still up to the courts to decide on the fate of Senator Trillanes, but this resolution is a good show of unity for the opposition, and a good show of unity for The Senate in general.
Now, let’s move on to other big matters, like, who will be the chairman for The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee?
In the Oakwood episode, among the red flags raised by Antonio Trillanes IV is graft in the military, a component of the prevailing destructive corruption in the country. Is he justified? This is answered by the recent news that a former FOIC (Flag Officer in Command, meaning Navy Chief) was convicted, along with some subordinates, of malfeasance and infidelity in handling of funds….
…The Trillanes phenomenon is real, not a miracle, brought about by the ire of eleven million of our electorate. I did not vote for Trillanes for reasons I will not disclose here. But I will honor the concept that enough of the electorate selected him to symbolize their feeling of displeasure and represent their hopes and aspirations in the Senate. Now the task of supporters of Senator Trillanes has just begun, and I am including myself in the task. The foremost task is to protect him. He needs protection against those who threaten him as there are many who wield power and who would be elated to make him fail. There exist threats in the Senate, Santiago (remember Maid Miriam who eats threats for breakfast) and Enrile are potential interpellators with humongous arrogance…
… Senator Trillanes is resolute, an admirable quality in a leader. A lesser man would have buckled under the mental torture his jailors subjected him to, unlike his Magdalo comrades who did not have the stamina and fortitude; and succumbed, even finked, under the pressure. They were coerced into plea bargaining of guilty under a lesser charge of conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman.
Trillanes could still be swayed by the inducement of being unshackled. Time will tell….
… I now disclose the reason I did not vote for him – the Oakwood incident harmed the economy. Some friends planned to visit Cagayan de Oro together with prospective investors who were persuaded to assess potentials for investment in the city, The Oakwood incident spooked that plan, completely, as the foreigners stayed away. A single instance that was typical.
So, why am I turning around and supporting this rascal as labeled by Arroyo and cohorts? In my opinion, there is a difference between Trillanes the Magdalo idealist and Trillanes the elected senator. The method used makes a world of difference. One is an attempt to make a change sans overt people support; the other resulted in an expression of the people’s sovereign will and power – the difference between revolution and election. I concede to the decision of the eleven million, and will oppose moves to frustrate their will.
Hello po!
Pinanood niyo po ba yung session? Nandoon po ako sa gallery, first row. Pag may nakita kayong naka-yellow shirt na may hawak na camera habang nagsasalita si Chiz…AKO YUN!
Galing niya kahapon.
Nung second day nandoon din po ako. Ginagawa ng Team Chiz na gimik place ang Senado.
We were able to talk to Chiz and he clearly stated that he is an oppositionist. Kung makikita niyo po ang office niya…puro hiram ang gamit. Nakakahiyang itabi sa ibang senador ang gaganda ng offices.
Escudero has short of confirming that Alan Peter Cayetano will chair the Blue Ribbon. So malamang po si Cayetano.
Hello po!
Sana hindi mag-double posting ako. Nag-error yung first time ko na mag-comment.
Anyway, nanood po ako ng sessions. Ginagawa na ngang gimik place ng Team Chiz ang Senado.
Kapag may nakita kayo sa first row ng audience gallery na naka-yellow shirt at may hawak na camera habang nagsasalita si Chiz – AKO po yun
Galing niya kahapon. Sila ni Alan.
Si Migz di namin pinapansin.
We were able to talk to Chiz. Pinapunta kami sa office niya. Sinabi niya sa amin habang nakaupo si Gloria ay oposisyon siya. Wag daw kaming mag-alala.
@Jowana, I saw your post the other day. Hopefully, Chiz is being truthful.. I trust your judgment with regards to Chiz, so I hope you keep us up to date.
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I’m still cautious with any politician in general, not that I dislike them, but my trust has been misused many times by other politicians.
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Chiz still has my respect, but as with all public officials, they deserve to be judged by their actions on a daily basis. It’s really not personal. I’ve read your post before, regarding Chiz, when there were some Chismis going around. You yourself said that you would be the first to drop him and withdraw support if ever he jumps ship or is dishonest.
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And for that, I will always hold your judgment in high regards.
@neonate,
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That is one of the most honest and respectable words pertaining to Trillanes. Your vote was indeed justified, I too had my doubts when the Oakwood Mutiny took place. I’ve also had my doubts with Trillanes overall.
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Your observation on Trillanes being resolute is right on. I believe being in the military prepares a person for such. But, you are right, I can name Honasan as a selfish person who took the Administration’s carrot, and Trillanes could easily have done the same. But he didn’t, he is standing his ground, and has not given in to, I presume, some attempts by this administration to make a deal with him so that he can secure his release.
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I salute you for having such an open mind. Excellent, excellent comment!!