Senator Trillanes goes to Senate for the 1st time

December 22, 2010

by Agent Searchlight

Editor: Longbackers

As reported by Bryan De Paz (UNTV Reporter)

(First 2 pictures shows UNTV Reporter Bryan De Paz with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. Smaller image was taken during the November 29, 2007 standoff at The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City. UNTV Reporter Rey Pelayo was alongside Trillanes in one instance during the mutiny.)

Pasay City, Philippines-After nearly seven years in jail for coup charges against the past administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, after elected senator in May 2007 experienced for the first time the atmosphere of the Senate building. Although the Senate is currently on recess, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile accompanied the Magdalo leader to his office and for the first time met most members of his staff in person.

During the press conference, Trillanes promised to support the Aquino administration and at the same time assured the President that he will not rise up again against the government.

When asked about his feelings towards former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the senator exclaimed that he does not hold any personal grudge against Arroyo but ironically, for now he doesn’t want to meet face to face the former president.

However, Trillanes stressed that the former leader was helpful, based on a perspective that it was because of Mrs. Arroyo’s administration that they (Magdalo soldiers) decided to announce their grievances that resulted to the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. “It was the former PGMA who was instrumental para maisakatuparan yung faith namin na yun”, according to Trillanes.

The Makati Regional Trial court granted provisional liberty to Trillanes last December 21, 2010, after which he stayed in his residence in Cainta, Rizal since the Senate President gave him the option. Custodial responsibility for Trillanes was directed by the court to the Senate President; however Enrile doesn’t see fit to lock-up Trillanes inside the premises of the Senate building “I think we should not be so harsh to the Senator, as to make the Senator stay in the ‘bartolina’ in the senate”, Enrile said.#