REACTIONS TO THE TRILLANES PROCLAMATION

 

Let’s hear it from our morally upright generals: 

Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Chief of Staff–  

ON WHAT HE WOULD DO ONCE TRILLANES IS PROCLAIMED SENATOR. 

“Once he gets proclaimed, I will start talking about his case. Ganun lang para fair. For that matter, it is not really Trillanes that I will be talking about, (but) the rules on general court martial, how it applies to anybody who has a case before the court martial, and for that matter in the regional trial court for a non-bailable offense.”  (source:  Malaya)

ON TRILLANES’ NEW FOUND STATUS AS SENATOR OF THE REPUBLIC.

“Election does not change your status as a respondent. It does not extinguish your criminal or civil liabilities.”  (source:  The Daily Tribune) 

ON UPHOLDING THE ARTICLES OF WAR EVEN IF IT MEANS GOING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION. 

“Just imagine if barangay elections will come and all soldiers who have cases will file for candidacy so they can get off the hook. Is that it? Hindi naman. Again I repeat, I do not want anything to do with the election of Trillanes whether he wins or lose. The AFP has nothing to do with that, but we have our concerns insofar as upholding the Articles of War.”  (source:  Malaya) 

ON THE MATTER OF GRANTING BAIL TO TRILLANES SO THAT HE COULD ATTEND TO HIS SENATE DUTIES. 

“There’s no such thing as bail in the military.  If we disregard the Articles of War, then we might as well forget discipline in the armed forces. Let’s forget that we have an army.”  (source:  ABS-CBN Interactive) 

ON THE PROSPECT OF TRILLANES HOLDING OFFICE INSIDE FORT BONIFACIO. 

“It will run counter to the apolitical nature of the military. Imagine the military, an apolitical institution will become an office of a senator?”  (source:  The Daily Tribune) 

ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT TRILLANES MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS POSITION TO INVESTIGATE ANOMALIES IN THE AFP. 

“That’s the job of a senator. That’s perfectly all right with us. But why should we look at him as a problem? Siya ang may problema. Siya ang may kaso.”  (source:  Malaya)

Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, NCR Command Chief– 

ON TRILLANES GETTING ELECTED DESPITE BEING CHARGED WITH COUP D’ ETAT. 

“The situation is uncomfortable because he is being held accountable for the rules and regulations of the Armed Forces and our justice system. It’s like an unusual situation - somebody who is charged of coup d’état is becoming a senator.” (source:  Malaya) 

Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino, Air Force Chief– 

ON TRILLANES BEING A BAD EXAMPLE TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE AFP. 

“It opens up a situation…a predicament where you fight the duly constituted government and then be recognized as a prominent public official…that it could be done, that one can take that shortcut to fame. It can happen that those inside might think, ‘Ah, it’s that easy, that’s the way.” 

“It [has] a negative impact on those in the service because those who toe the line were not recognized, in a way, while he was recognized [by being voted] a senator and yet he did something bad to the society, to government, that that can happen.” 

“Do you think as a senator he will espouse again rising against the government? He is already in government, the more that he should denounce violence as a form of changing this government…The more he should toe the line. The more that he should be civil.” (source:  PDI) 

Of course, the lapdogs at the Palace were likewise quick to react: 

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita– 

ON THE VALUE OF RESPECTING THE PEOPLE’S WILL.

“I suppose we’ll just have to agree that the people voted him to office and we wish him the best in his duty as senator of the republic.” (source:  PDI) 

Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio–  

ON HIS ADMISSION THAT JUSTICE IS BLIND.. BUT ONLY SO WHEN IT APPLIES TO TRILLANES. 

“Why should his status influence the cases against him? Justice continues to be blind irrespective of one’s status and they should make a decision according to the merits of the case and not on the basis of whether he’s senator or not.” (source:  PDI) 

SORRY FOLKS.  MISSING IN ACTION IS JUSTICE SECRETARY RAUL GONZALEZ.  THE MEDIA PROBABLY FORGOT TO INTERVIEW GLORIA’S LEGAL LUMINARY.  HIS REACTION WOULD HAVE MERITED A HEADLINE IN THE PAPERS!