Trillanes seeks furlough for proclamation

In anticipation of his possible proclamation tomorrow by the Commission on Election as a winning senatorial candidate, resigned Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV is asking the Makati City court to allow him to leave detention and go to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. Rey Robles, lawyer of Trillanes, formally asked Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel during Thursday morning's hearing of the Magdalo group's coup d' etat case that his client be permitted to join the proclamation rites. Trillanes, who ranks 11th in the senatorial race, was excluded from Wednesday night's proclamation of the top 10 Senatorial winners since votes from the a few provinces remain uncanvassed. Robles said the Comelec expects to canvass the remaining votes from the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Surigao del Norte tomorrow, and may then decide for the proclamation of Trillanes. But Pimentel told Robles to just wait for the Comelec declaration before he asks for Trillanes' leave of detention. The judge said Trillanes, who was not present during the hearing, is not prevented from filing said motion, which he previously did for various reasons, among them, his filing of candidacy in February and his casting of vote last May 14. The prosecution, which also called Trillanes as "senator-elect," did not also pose any objection, but only reminded Trillanes to comply with the conditions set by the court on his media interviews. Pimentel, however, hinted that Trillanes may really opt not to attend the proclamation since his presence is not mandatory. "Well, Joker Arroyo did not attend (during yesterday's proclamation)," the judge said. But, in an interview after the hearing, Robles said he expects Pimentel to consider the mandate that Trillanes got from the people, especially when the time comes that they will regularly request for the court's permission so Trillanes can attend Senate sessions or hearings if and when he is proclaimed winner. "It is in the Constitution that the sovereignty resides with the people, and all powers of government emanate from them… And we all see that one of every three voters voted for (Trillanes). So this is something that the court should consider," Robles said. Robles said that should Trillanes officially becomes a senator, he will remain in detention at the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. He said the alleged mutineer will only leave detention if granted by the court to attend congressional sessions. Trillanes may also maintain an office at the Senate but will only be manned by staffers. "Mr. Trillanes had said that he will not use this (victory in the senatorial race) as his ticket out of detention," Robles said. Robles also disclosed that Trillanes has no intention of joining the 27 other Magdalo officers in examining the possibility of entering into a plea-bargaining agreement with the military prosecution as far as their case before the general court martial (GCM) is concerned. On Wednesday, 27 of the 29 core leaders of the Magdalo Group asked for a one month period from the GCM so they can discuss the possibility of availing a plea bargain like what the other Oakwood mutineers – both officers and enlisted personnel – did in the past. The 29 leaders are facing charges for violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) before the GCM, which is punishable with dishonorable discharge, among others. "He is not joining the 27 because of his principles. He maintains that they did not violate any law when they went to Oakwood. But he could not blame also the other officers because they are already tired, especially that no change had happened despite what they went through," Robles said. The 300 junior officers and enlisted personnel who took over Oakwood Hotel along Ayala Avenue in Makati City last July 27, 2003 cried against massive corruption both in the military and the government as a whole, and called for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes. - GMANews.TV