Political miracle? Trillanes comes home

MANILA, Philippines — After close to a month of living inside his office at the fifth floor of the Senate, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is back home and feeling grateful for the “political miracle” since he was not ordered arrested for the non-bailable offense of coup d’etat that he committed 15 years ago.

Trillanes left his office yesterday morning and returned to his home in Antipolo City where his wife and children were waiting for him.

“It’s going to be a refreshing experience. I can just imagine being able to sleep in (my) own bed, to be able to take a proper bath because here it’s been tabo-tabo (using a dipper) but, like I said, I’m not complaining,” Trillanes told reporters before leaving his office.

“It’s going back to the old routine that I’m used to. I’m looking forward to that,” he added.

After an hour of travel from Pasay City, Trillanes was met by his wife Arlene and his two children, as well as his dog Bruno, a Chow Chow.

Once he has rested, Trillanes said he intended to visit his 84-year-old mother, who is confined in a hospital for advanced Parkinson’s disease.

Trillanes decided to hole up in his office since Sept. 4 because he did not want his mother to worry about him.

“What we have witnessed here is a political miracle. This journey has been like a roller coaster (ride) for me. Last Thursday and Friday our supporters were all worried about how the forces of evil appeared to be winning but now here we are,” Trillanes said.

The senator was referring to reports that the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 under Judge Andre Soriano was about to issue a resolution on the petition filed by the Department of Justice to issue a warrant for his arrest in relation to his case of coup d’etat.

But Soriano deferred ruling on the petition and said a hearing would be held on Oct. 5.

Trillanes was charged with coup d’etat in relation to his participation in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003.

The case, as well as the rebellion charge against Trillanes at the Makati RTC Branch 150, was dismissed in 2011 after he was granted amnesty by former president Benigno Aquino III.

After learning about Soriano’s decision, Trillanes decided to leave his office, where he has been guaranteed protection from unlawful arrest.

“I attribute that (to) all those who prayed for my welfare, my safety and for the truth to prevail,” Trillanes said.

“I suppose many people are wondering why I am this way, why I am taking this stand. I attribute all that to my faith. Since 2003, we have been through a lot and our faith in God has never wavered,” Trillanes added.

Now that his life has returned to normal, Trillanes said he would step up his offensive against President Duterte and his allies. 

Once he returns to work, Trillanes said he would be delivering a privilege speech on the alleged interference by Duterte in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

While Trillanes has mentioned this before, he said he would provide more details in his privilege speech.

Trillanes said he would pursue the inquiry into the contracts entered into by the security agency owned by the family of Solicitor General Jose Calida and various government agencies.

Trillanes would also look into the multibillion-peso contracts allegedly awarded to the firms owned by the father and half brother of Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go.

The senator added that he would continue his exposé on the involvement of Duterte and his family in the illegal drug trade.

According to Trillanes, his legal team is studying the possibility of calling Calida to testify regarding the revocation of his amnesty, in light of the statement of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana about the solicitor general seeking permission to dig up the documents.

Trillanes previously accused Calida of hiding and even destroying the documents in order to bolster the government’s claim that his amnesty was void from the beginning.

Trillanes has repeatedly stated that he went through the entire process of securing amnesty and fulfilled all the requirements under the law.

The senator showed reporters a framed copy of his certificate of amnesty yesterday.

“This will not be given if I did not apply (for amnesty) – that is common sense. But under the Duterte administration there is no common sense,” Trillanes said.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon urged the Supreme Court to act on the petition filed by the camp of Trillanes questioning the legality of Proclamation No. 572 issued by Duterte that revoked the amnesty of Trillanes.