Drilon: Honasan not in hiding following rebellion accusations

Senate President Franklin Drilon went to the defense of beleaguered Sen. Gregorio Honasan yesterday and declared the opposition senator is not hiding from the public.

"He (Honasan) is with his family who is distraught over what has happened. I had a long conversation with Greg over the phone this morning. He has extended his apologies to the Chamber for not being able to attend this morning’s session," Drilon said.

Drilon said Honasan has agreed to attend today’s session and "would stand on a question of personal privilege."

Notably absent during the opening of Senate’s 3rd and final session yesterday, Honasan could not be reached for comment.

Honasan’s staff, Manny Monitor, told The STAR the opposition senator was out of the country.

Senate sources, however, disclosed Honasan was in Batangas before he proceeded to Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in Makati City to join negotiators in convincing Navy Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes who led a band of mutineers in occupying the luxury apartments earlier Sunday.

Drilon made the declaration for Honasan following the query made by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on the whereabouts of the opposition senator.

Honasan, who led seven failed coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino in 1987 and 1989, has been linked anew to Sunday’s mutiny.

"I would like to find out what happened to Senator Honasan. Is there a warrant for his arrest? Since he is a member of the Senate, we must be informed of his whereabouts. Senator Honasan has been unduly prevented from doing his job as a senator," Pimentel told the plenary session.

Drilon went on to explain Honasan is not trying to hide from any accusations. "He is with his family. He will rise on a personal privilege in tomorrow’s (today) session," he said.

Asked if Honasan could be arrested inside the Senate session hall, Drilon admitted the opposition senator cannot invoke congressional immunity and can be arrested once the charges are filed.

"Theoretically, if the charges are filed, and I emphasize on a theoretical basis, only for the purposes of giving you a background of the Constitution," he said.

Drilon pointed out that the exemption applies if the lawmaker is charged for a crime punishable by less than six years imprisonment.

For his part, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said he is not singling out Honasan as responsible for the mutiny.

Trillanes had denied linking Honasan in their move. He also denied their group, Magdalo, is a vehicle for Honasan’s presidential ambitions. — With Perseus Echeminada