Trillanes goes to Senate for first time

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday set foot in the Senate for the first time since he was voted into office in 2007.

“I am relieved that finally pwede na tayong makapagsilbi sa bayan (we can serve the people),” he said.

Appearing before reporters, Trillanes said he and the Magdalo soldiers revolted against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a just cause.

“I believe what happened to me was a matter of fate,” he said.

“I needed to go through that. And it was just instrumental, GMA was used for that fate to materialize. There is no animosity. I am not a vindictive person.”

Trillanes said he would not like to cross paths with Arroyo anytime. “As far as possible, we should avoid that,” he said.

“But in case that happens, we are civilized human beings. It’s going to be awkward. I cannot imagine what I would do, I will still have to think about it.”

However, he is not taking personally his detention for seven years, he added.

Trillanes expressed his full trust and confidence in the Aquino administration.

“Trust cannot be measured,” he said.

“It’s either you trust a person or you don’t. Until that trust has been broken, it will remain. The difference now with the past administration is the intention, the purity of intent.

“I believe that is the essence or the primary requisite of good governance.”

He would like to meet Aquino to express his gratitude for granting him amnesty, Trillanes said.

Speaking to reporters, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he and other senators will welcome Trillanes when Congress resumes session on Jan. 17.

Sitting beside Trillanes during the press conference, Enrile said the participation of the former Navy officer during plenary debates would be crucial once an important matter is put to a vote.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, another former rebel military officer, said he was happy that Trillanes can now actively participate in the Senate.

Citing his own experience, Honasan quoted the late Sen. Raul Roco that as elected public servants, they should serve their mandate well by studying the different issues and learning to listen before they speak.

Honasan reminded Trillanes that one’s votes on issues are more important in legislation.

Trillanes brings the number of working senators to 20.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson is in hiding, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is on sick leave, and Aquino’s election to the presidency has reduced the Senate’s numbers.

Aquino’s term as senator was supposed to end in 2013.

Wearing a white polo and black jacket, Trillanes was greeted with loud cheers by members of his Senate staff when he arrived at the Senate basement parking at 9:17 a.m.

He went directly to the office of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia before proceeding to his office, where he met with his lawyer, Rey Robles.

After meeting with his staff, Trillanes proceeded to the office of Enrile.

They held a brief meeting before he faced the media. He also met with Honasan, his perceived mentor.

Honasan formulated the national recovery program, which became the “bible” of the Magdalo soldiers.

Honasan said he can help guide Trillanes in the arena of lawmaking, “deriving from the painful experience” of the past. Honasan, a grandfather to two young children, is now advocating peaceful and constitutional means for change.

Trillanes is expected to boost the political alignments at the Senate, particularly the leadership of Enrile.

He said yesterday that he will join the majority bloc comprised of Enrile, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Honasan, among others.

Trillanes, Senate committee on Civil Service Commission chairman, said his first priority is to increase the combat pay of soldiers.

The bulk of his P200-million pork barrel will be used for the building of hospitals and barracks for soldiers and policemen, he added.

* Trillanes: I will no longer rebel

Aquino welcomed yesterday the statement of Trillanes that he would no longer rebel against the government.

Trillanes said he would go through official channels in expressing whatever grievances he might have against the government.

Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said Trillanes and Aquino have yet to speak with each other.

“As far as I understand, there has been no conversation between the President and Sen. Trillanes at this point,” he said.

“I spoke to some of the colleagues of Sen. Trillanes and they would like to see the President before the end of the year to make a courtesy call, but that has not been set up yet.” — With Aurea Calica