CEBU, Philippines - Senator Antonio Trillanes IV convened yesterday at least 40 chapter leaders of the Samahang Magdalo in the Visayas at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City in what he called a strategic planning conference.
It was the first time that Trillanes met the leaders of the Samahang Magdalo, since his release last December after seven years of incarceration, and he thanked them for helping him win in the 2007 senatorial elections.
In a press conference, Trillanes told the media that the two-day conference is intended to give direction, vision and a mission to their members in the next couple of months.
“We intend to impart to all the members the direction, the vision in the future and the mission right now that needs to be addressed,” Trillanes said, although he did not mention anything specific.
“The Magdalo believes that the only way towards achieving its vision of a peaceful, progressive and prosperous country is to have a united, responsible and empowered citizenry,” Trillanes said.
The Samahang Magdalo is now a non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission advocating good governance and social justice.
To date, it has already 100,000 card-bearing members and the group plans to double the figures by the end of 2011.
Trillanes said that the convention serves as the venue to discuss local concerns in membership and some needs in medical and financial assistance to their members.
Samahang Magdalo Sugbo Chapter president Ramon Vios said that they encouraged their members to grow with social responsibilities and to cope with daily life.
Vios said that they are helping each other in terms of livelihood programs.
“At least naa ang grupo nga mo-socially support sa ilang panginahanglan,” Vios said.
The Visayas convention is the first of a series of meetings the Magdalo plans to hold nationwide.
Meanwhile, Trillanes looks positively on the ongoing Senate investigation on government corruption especially in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“We can never dream of addressing the problem if we don’t even know that it exists or what is its extent,” Trillanes said.
From there, Trillanes said they can formulate solutions that can address particular problem.
Trillanes assured he is doing his best to check and “influence the Aquino administration and try to push legislations that would eradicate or minimize corrupt practices.”
Trillanes also met Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortez.
He said that talking with Palma about relevant issues was “quite fruitful” while he also talked with Cortes about some “possible areas of partnership in helping in local enforcement side of governance.”
Trillanes said he was impressed by the development of Cebu as he went around the city last Friday night.
Trillanes is best known for his role in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny when he and a group of 321 armed solders took over the Oakwood apartment towers in Makati City, lined them with bombs and threatened to detonate them. (FREEMAN)