Saturday, May 26, 2007 Trillanes says he can make it to Senate
DETAINED opposition senatorial bet Antonio Trillanes IV is confident of winning a slot in the Senate despite his wobbly standing in the ongoing canvassing of votes by the Commission on Election (Comelec).
At the same time, Trillanes who is running under the banner of the Genuine Opposition (GO) warned of a backlash against the Arroyo administration if it does nothing to stop cheating in the conduct of the election.
"They can try to cheat. They can misunderstand the people's will as they have done in the past but this time there are proven wrong and if they insist they can risk losing their power altogether," Trillanes told reporters after the hearing of his motion for continued media access at the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC).
It was Trillanes first public appearance since he cast his vote last May 14 in Caloocan City and he was mobbed by office personnel and court staff.
He said their own survey showed him winning by a margin of 500,000 votes over the 12th and 13th placer in the Senate race.
According to the latest results of the quick count of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Election (Namfrel), Trillanes was in 11th place with 7,448, 411 votes.
He said that their own survey showed him still winning even if the results in such controversial areas as Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte, where alleged poll fraud occurs, would be counted.
Trillanes also expressed his gratitude to the rank and file of the Armed Forces who he said supported and voted for him in the Local Absentee Voting despite the reported order of the military leadership for the troops to support the administration candidates.
In dedicating his candidacy to the people, Trillanes called on his supporters and the public to safeguard the votes and ensure that there would be no repeat of the alleged cheating in the 2004 elections.
He cited cases of alleged poll fraud like in the province of Maguindanao where the administration's Team Unity shut out the opposition 12-0 and in Lanao del Norte and in other areas of the country as proof that the administration despite its protestation will continue its old ways to perpetuate itself in power.
"The reported 12-0 win of the administration in Maguindanao shows how these people disrespect the people's will," he said.
Trillanes criticized Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. for saying that he was "politically immature" for the Senate as compared to others like Gregorio Honasan, who was also charged with coup d'etat for his alleged participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.
"Look whose talking. Have you seen any politically maturity from him" You should undergo psychological evaluation dahil delikado (because it is dangerous) considering that he has enormous powers in his hand," Trillanes said.
Trillanes said being in detention is no hindrance to his bid to serve as a senator if he wins, adding that his staff and the use of modern technology would enable him to participate in Senate hearings.
"I can craft my legislation in detention and nothing can stop me from doing that. Physical barriers will not stop me from doing my job as a senator," he said.
His lawyer, Reynaldo Robles said in the event that his client will land a seat in the Senate, he will file a motion with the court to allow Trillanes to participate in the Senate sessions and hearings.
Meanwhile, Makati RTC branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel has given the Department of Justice (DOJ) until May 29 to submit their comment on the petition of Trillanes and on a petition a group of print and broadcast journalists for continued access to the detained candidate.
State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said they do not oppose the request provided that the media adheres to the rules contained in the April 17 decision by Pimentel allowing access. (AH/Sunnex)
