Friday, June 22, 2007 Ajero: They like Trillanes for his courage By Antonio M. Ajero The Sentry Post
AS I stated in this corner earlier, more than 25 percent of the 231 cellular phone owners in my phonebook who bothered to respond to a text survey I ran June 16-18 said they voted for rebel soldier Antonio Trillanes IV for senator.
The respondents think Trillanes, a lieutenant senior grade in the Philippine Navy who led the so-called Oakwood Mutiny (named after the condominium hotel the soldiers were holed in for days), is the kind of leader that our country needs today. Trillanes who is still in detention pending completion of his trial by court martial was considered resigned when he ran for senator.
However, 25 percent is a minority. Of the 231, a total of 143 respondent cell phone owners, or 61.9 percent, rejected Trillanes for being an adventurist and a disobedient military man.
Let's look at some more samples of the comments pro and con to have deeper insights into the voting results.
"He's a young man full of ideas/ideals, he is what we want for a leader"- a multi-awarded journalist.
"I did not vote for him. He wasn't in the INC (Iglesia ni Cristo) list."
"Yes, the Armed Forces must be exposed of its bad habits. An insider must talk."
"I didn't vote for him, but I believe that his votes represent the number of people unhappy with GMA."
"No. How can a destabilizer enact laws for the long term good of the country. Besides, what was the dismal record of Gringo Honasan in the Senate?"
"No. What we need in the Senate are legislators not gladiators. But yes, he may be a spectacle in the coming Senate."
"Yes, because he is not afraid to go against the Arroyo administration. Hopefully, he'll never cease to be."
"Family ko vote sa kanya. Baka pakinggan mga problema ng ordinary pipol. Di siya natatakot, di tulad ng iba. Takot sa intriga, kasi guilty din."
"We need young blood in the Senate, people imbued with vision and mission and a passion to right wrongs."
"Kinsa na si Trillanes? Kadtong gusto magpresidente at the expense of the AFP? Dapat sa iyaha ug ni Honasan sa bartolina."
"No, nakakulong siya. How can he serve?"
"Yes, dahil alam kung tama ang ipinaglalaban ni Trillanes. Isinakrispisyo niya ang kanyang karera at karangalan para sa magandang adhikain para sa pangkalahatang Pilipino. Kaya dapat siyang samahan."
"No, he's not a good leader, not a good officer. Dapat konting pasensiya and humility."
"I'm not for Trillantes for senator, although I like him as a soldier."
"I just sympathize with the cause he is espousing, but I am against him as senator."
"I voted for him because I want reforms in the military."
"He dared to do what many people wanted to do but were afraid to do it."
"He's got balls."
"Steadfast in principles. Doesn't look balimbing. Also a big slap on the military establisment and GMA."
"I didn't but my wife did. Naawa siya kasi nakakulong. Akala niya, he'll be free kung manalo."
"I didn't vote for bets who always disagree with the good programs of government. With Cayetano and Escudero around, you can expect a chaotic, good for nothing 14th Senate."
"I did not vote for him. The room for senators is too small for military men."- a newly elected mayor of a town in Bohol.
"Yes, because he exposed anomalies in the military, including the perpetrators and brains of the bombings in Davao."
"I voted for him in the hope that his victory will bring badly needed changes in our country."
"I believe in his idealism. We need radical thinkers in the government."
"No, never voted for any member of the military."
"Yes, my husband and I voted for him because he is a young blood. At least there's someone new and young."
"Trillanes won because the people knew his grievances against the government are not personal, but of the rank and file."
My friend Bobby Manzano, a veteran public relations man who gave me permission to quote him: "I find his steadfast idealism inspiring. His victory in the polls delivers a strong message of protest to the Arroyo regime. I just hope though that his foray into electoral politics will not frustrate his idealism and worse, corrupt him."
From a lawyer: "I am sick and tired of hyprocrites in government, political leaders, top brass of the military and the cabinet (except those who resigned in protest). Look at General Garcia; he seems to be getting off the hook.
Jalosjos is another. It's not Trillanes. It's what he stands for."
From a law student: "I detest the military adventurism which he is a symbol of. Also, since he stands trial, we will have another Jalosjos where the winner can not fulfill his legislative duties because he must be detained. So essentially we just wasted our money in having a senator who can't really work anyway as he must remain in jail."
From those who did not vote anybody for senator, this one from veteran journalist Flor Ranido takes the cake: "I didn't vote anyone for senator. I just wrote ABOLISH THE SENATE in the ballot."
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